DRAFT

Assessment of capacity needs in areas of in-situ and ex-situ Conservation in the context of CBD and BAP with particular focus on meeting global biodiversity targets
ASHIQ AHMAD KHAN Report prepared for IUCN-Pakistan 11 July 2012

Photo by author

IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgements List of abbreviations 1. Brief Overview 1.1 Background 1.2 Major elements 1.3 Gaps/shortcomings 2. Key issues and challenges 3. Analysis of capacities to meet the key challenge 3.1 Needful capacities to address the real challenges 3.2 Needful capacities for Policy, management and implementation 3.2.1 In-situ conservation 3.2.2 Ex-situ conservation 3.3 Erosion of key institutions and resultant reduction in capacities 4. Recommendations 5. The Way Forward 3 4 5 5 6 8 9 11 11 14 14 18 20 21 28

Acknowledgement
The author feels obliged to several friends, colleagues and professionals who helped a great deal in attainment data, arranging meetings, sending suggestions and information and guiding on what is really required. Dr Abdul Aleem Chaudhry from Lahore, Mohammad Yousaf Qureshi from Muzaffar Abad, Babar Khan from Gilgit and Inamullah Khan from IUCN-Islamabad helped a lot in facilitating the process. The author is obliged to them. Thanks are due to everyone who met the author and shared their views. Their list is given at Annex 8. Prof Dr Aminul Haq, Dr Rasool Bux Tareen and Dr Abdur Rashid enlightened the author on issues related to Botanical Garden. The author feels indebted to them.

List of Abbreviations

AARI BAP CBD CDA CoP IGF IUCN NARC NGO NIBGE PA PARC PFI WAPDA WWF ZSD

Ayub Agricultural Research Institute Biodiversity Action Plan Convention on Biodiversity Capital Development Authority Conference of the Parties Inspector General of Forests International Union for Conservation of Nature National Agricultural Research Council Non-Government Organization National Institute for Bio-technology and Genetic Engineering Protected Area Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Pakistan Forest Institute Water and Power Development Authority World Wide Fund for Nature Zoological Survey Department

Assessment of capacity needs in areas of in-situ and ex-situ Conservation in the context of CBD and BAP with particular focus on meeting global biodiversity targets.
1. Brief Overview of the Current Status of In-Situ and Ex-Situ Conservation in Pakistan 1.1 Background of the study As the name indicates, Biodiversity refers to all varieties of life on earth, including species, ecosystems and genetic diversity and, as such, all require equal attention for protection against negative influences of human interventions. Pakistan first recognized the importance of its biological heritage by developing and adopting the National Conservation Strategy in 1992 and by becoming a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1994. Being a party, Pakistan has to meet all of the obligations and Global Targets of the CBD; In order to ensure this, Pakistan developed its Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) in the year 2000 that identified short, medium and long term priorities for conservation of biological diversity in Pakistan. Being taken important, Pakistan provided a strong institutional mechanism to matters related to CBD and BAP. The Ministry of Environment was declared as Focal Ministry for the CBD that has now been re-notified as Ministry of Climate Change. The office of the Inspector General of Forest (IGF) was given the coordination role and declared as Focal office for CBD. In order to ensure that matters related to CBD get the needful attention, an independent unit the Biodiversity Directorate has now been established in the IGF office, headed by Director Biodiversity. Though a holistic approach to address the issues and challenges of biodiversity has been missing from the agenda of most of the institutions and relevant organizations in Pakistan, serious efforts are being made to protect at least a part of the whole. This has been approached through various strategies and interventions by different organizations, both in the public and private sectors. Such efforts and approaches are being grouped in 2 broad categories: In-situ conservation and ex-situ conservation, the former focuses on activities that help to protect species, genetic varieties and natural ecosystems out in the nature, while the later provides support through breeding in captivity, gene banks, herbaria, museums and Botanical and zoological gardens. Rules and regulations and policy framework are already in place to give legal cover to what has been or is being done for both. The creation of protected areas in almost all major ecosystems, deployment of staff for the protection of species from poaching and trade; motivation of community to protect habitats and species under their control, establishing various research institutions at the federal and provincial levels to provide scientific support to field interventions; breeding of animals in zoos, breeding centers and wildlife parks; and establishment of herbaria, gene banks and botanical gardens are the type of actions that are being undertaken by the Government of Pakistan. Most of such actions are supported by Civil Society Organization as partners to respective Government institutions, and funded generously, often, by International donors. Though it appears like splendid arrangements to address the issues and challenges of biodiversity in Pakistan, the magnitude of the problem seems to be too big, and apparently, it is growing too rapidly for the existing institutional network to cope with. This is evident from the loss of populations of various species and degradation of natural habitats/ ecosystems that has serious repercussions for the entire society not only in Pakistan but in the region. The possible loss of species of global importance is certainly a point of concern for the international community. The process of on-going degradation could be normally attributed to all or one of the three; relevant institutions are missing; they lack the needful capacities or the institutional mechanisms for coordination, monitoring and evaluation is weak or faulty. Each of such deficiencies may obviously have strong reasons and rationale, but, irrespective of that, the need for undertaking corrective measures in light of the National and International obligations for the conservation of Biodiversity cannot be denied . Corrective measures may only be adopted if the causative factors are revealed and the weaknesses/gaps in capacities are correctly identified. This is with this background that the focal 5

ministry for CBD in Pakistan has commissioned this study through IUCN-Pakistan and aims to assess the situation for undertaking corrective measures for filling the gaps, as much as possible. 1.2 Major elements of In-situ and Ex-situ Conservation in Pakistan and available institutional support to cover their mandates Different institutions and departments were created at different times in the history of Pakistan to meet the needs of emerging issues. Though Biodiversity was not seen and taken as an independent discipline, most of its components have already been accommodated in the mandates of the departments, created long ago. Later on, such institutions got the support of several civil society organizations in the form of NGOs that are still available, rather numerous now, to promote the cause of conservation through various approaches. However, major responsibilities are still vested with relevant government departments/institutions. A brief account of these is given below: a. In-situ conservation: Irrespective of the available capacities to deliver, Pakistan has provided institutional support to cover the following requirements of In-situ conservation: -The creation and management of protected areas: This is primarily the responsibility of the departments dealing with Wildlife and Parks. They have to protect species, their plants and animal associates and the available habitats inside the protected areas -Protection of species outside protected areas: The protection of wildlife species is the major responsibility of Provincial Wildlife Department. However, CDA is responsible for such protection with in the Capital jurisdiction - Conservation of forests and watersheds: Forest Departments at Provincial level and CDA at capitol level are responsible to ensure that the forest cover is maintained and the watersheds are healthy and without any big problem -Conservation of rangelands/pastures: This precious resource is divided between many and none. Depending on its location, management responsibility is being claimed -Conservation of wetlands resources: This is again a divided resource, with several management authorities, conflicting though. The Ramsar sites are supposed to be managed by the wildlife department -Conservation of inland and marine fish resources: Both resources have independent management authorities at Provincial levels -Research support for management interventions in the field: There are several, but primarily 3 research institutions that are mandated to conduct research on species, forests and ecosystems for the findings to be used in management decisions -Genetic diversity: The Livestock Departments are responsible to collect and maintain relevant information about the genetic resource of animals while the Agriculture Department is there to do so for the crop resources However, there is still confusion about the relevant departments and management responsibility of the following:

- Alien invasive species: The Focal office in the Ministry has taken the initiative to come up with some sort of management arrangement but the responsibility has not been assigned to a specific organization. Adhoc arrangements are in place. --Conservation of medicinal plants: If on Forest land, the Forest Department may deny its uses; if in a national Park, not allowed, if on private land, anyone could own it --Protection of natural ecosystems against degradation: The entire country has been divided into major ecoregions; however, there is no further division of each of such eco-regions into natural ecosystems on the basis of major habitats that these represent and the nature and extent of degradation threats that these face. Accordingly, it is hard to locate an ecosystem on the basis of its ecological significance for needful care and attention by a relevant department. However, if it is located by chance in a protected area or Reserve Forests, the relevant departments are responsible for it being a part of the PA or RF, and not in the context of CBD

b. Ex-situ Conservation: Institutional support is available in the public and private sectors for the following major components of Ex-situ Conservation: Institutions that are involved in ex-situ conservation of biodiversity include: National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Plant Genetics Resource Institute and the Animal Sciences Research Institute. Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB), where collection of microbiological are held National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI) and Karachi and Islamabad Universities. Botanical gardens, zoos, captive collections, wildlife parks, and breeding centres as well as private collections of wildlife species. Additional account of a few more activities, related to Biodiversity in the Ex-Situ area are as under: - Botanical Gardens/herbaria: Located and scattered throughout, and being maintained by various universities and research institutions, along with natural history museums (Details of Botanical Gardens annexed) - Animal breeding centre: These are mostly commercial enterprises except the HH Sheikh Zyed Breeding Center at Rahim Yar Khan that has distributed captive bred Chinkara deer in hundreds among the Provincial Wildlife Departments (details annexed) - Zoos/wildlife parks/pheasantries: depending on its location in Provinces/Capital, the management lies with different agencies. 1.3 Gaps/Shortcomings The study reveals that though there is enough institutional network that can contribute significantly to, at least a few of the targets and obligations of CBD, the outputs on average are not enough to claim this. The study tries to identify the major reasons that do not allow the country to contribute its share and make a reasonable progress. The findings are listed below: 7

Majority of the institutions lack professional teams that are familiar with Biodiversity as a back bone of socio-economic and environmental stability of the country or have the ability to manage it in this perspective. Several amongst the junior professionals are not even aware of the Biodiversity Plan that the country has developed or that Pakistan is a party to the CBD. Except a couple of senior professionals, midlevel staff do not have the needful attitude and knowledge towards the conservation of Biodiversity The institutions have no plan to address the issues in the context of CBD, they may be doing things that may be addressing issues however for other reasons

More of these shall be discussed in later sections but it was briefly revealed in meetings with various target groups that the shortcomings are closely linked to lack of positive attitudes, lack of knowledge; the lack of effective coordination, monitoring and evaluation and the absence of any sort of accountability. While it is hard to quantify the attitudinal lapses it starts from just ignorance about the importance of biodiversity and need for its conservation, lack of interest to be really involved in the task; lack of information on linkages between biodiversity and livelihood options and opportunities; and dearth of financial capacity to undertake the CBD agenda are the main stumbling blocks. This is applicable, with exception to a few respectable examples, to almost all institutions in the country, both at Federal and Provincial levels and in the public and private sectors. The biggest institutional responsibility for coordination among the stakeholders, providing guidance to them on what is required to do, monitor and evaluate of what is being done, conduct gap analysis in the annual plans at the designing and implementation stages and, when needed, seek support for such institutions for anything that they lack, lies with the Focal Ministry of Climate Change and its Focal Unit. However, the focal unit has insufficient capacity to coordinate with provincial governments for the designation of a provincial coordinator or a provincial team for not only to undertake the needful activities in the context of CBD but also to share the results with the Federal Focal Unit. Obviously, the provincial coordinator/team shall have to be trained on how to meet the obligations of CBD, and the reporting mechanism that they should adhere to. If the current status of in-situ and ex-situ conservation is to be assessed, the first consideration shall be the available coordination mechanism. Except for a Biodiversity Working Group, that occasionally meets for discussing matters related to Biodiversity, the study didnt notice any positive impact of this group on meeting the CBD obligations, as conveyed and expressed by several that were interviewed during the current survey (a sample questionnaire is annexed). Reporting mechanism is weak, unfocused, and often full of exaggerations. This is not only for CBD that it happens so; this attitudinal problem is equally prevailing while dealing with general issues of biodiversity, mostly species. Anyone has yet to mention about any planning process in place that facilitates achieving the CBD targets, BAP or, the biggest of all, the Aichi Targets. There are certain success stories of some institutions both in the public and private sectors of crying and agitating against the worst practices, breeding animals in captivities, establishing Botanical Gardens, discussing Alien invasive species etc but where do they fit to claim that obligations have been met to a respectable and quantifiable level? The answer is difficult and confusing too. The study mostly focuses on seeking answers to such questions for determining a road map that the Focal Ministry may use in their future dealings in the context of CBD. Details of the implementation of CBD under various targets in terms of In-situ and Ex-situ conservations are already given in the 4th National Report to CBD (Government of Pakistans published report of 2012) that has been submitted by the Climate Change Ministry (the focal Ministry for CBD in Pakistan) to the concerned quarters, hence the report shall focus only on major gaps and the future directions.

2. Key Issues and Challenges With regard to the focus of the current study, degradation of natural ecosystems, followed by loss of populations of most of the species and erosion of genetic diversity are the key issues. All natural ecosystems are accessible to all, for all possible uses and practices, except a few that may either be located in or along the line of control and thus heavily guarded for other reasons, or located inside a protected area which is well managed and its core areas protected against other uses (already few or non-existent); or inaccessible to human beings. Even the critical watersheds that are people with all detrimental practices occupy source of water for the people living therein or downstream that are within their reach. Based on personal observations of the author in several parts of the countrys watersheds, the situation may still be reversible but, roughly, in 5% of the cases only, however, it is hard to see any natural patch left on the mountain landscape that is a combination of precious ecosystems, worth billions dollars of goods and services that they provide to the people of Pakistan. With people coming in, the process of unsustainable development starts; roads are built without any consideration of the geology of the area and land cleared of its natural vegetation and brought under agriculture without any consideration to the slope or its suitability for agriculture. With growth in population, more trees are required for cooking food, heating houses in winter and building new houses. Hence more people get into the core of natural ecosystems, and the process thus continues with no visible end. Although detailed study may investigate and prove it further, apparently, there is hardly any natural ecosystem left in pristine condition with the capacity to provide the needful goods and services as it used to do a couple of decades ago. With loss of natural vegetation in ecosystems, many other things including micro flora and dependent lower and higher animals suffer the most. Wild animals are left with no habitat, no refuge and no natural food and are thus either hunted, or die because of hunger and predators. Predators, being deprived of their natural prey, turn to livestock and in retaliation, also being killed. A few examples do exist where community are protecting snow leopards and common leopards but it is a not a widely used practice. Agriculture is an important component of biodiversity. However, its productivity is being affected by factors such as climate change, poor seeds, inadequate care, worst practices, and lack of knowledge on what to grow and which soils? Some of the popular crops of certain areas are no longer produced in the same areas or produced in much lesser quantity with poor quality. Agro-ecological zones, being basic in agricultural practices, are inadequately, rather haphazardly defined and are thus not being used in major decisions regarding the growing of crops to the optimum profit. Agriculture and its expansion in certain areas is posing a big threat to the local Biodiversity; The negative impacts of agriculture on the Juniper Forest Ecosystems in Ziarat, Zarghoon and Herboi are not only evident but their negative impacts are being felt by the community without being capable to identify agriculture as the major culprit. Similar is the case with major mountain landscapes where the soil is now more susceptible to erosion and landslides, and wherefrom the resident wildlife species have migrated elsewhere leaving behind the silent stones, springs and rivers. Being degraded to the maximum, invasive species are the next to catch hold of the ground and expel all others out. Several species are known to have created nuisance around and the problem may further aggravate should relevant institutions stay ignorant and weak enough to cope with the situation. At the moment, there is not much that could be quoted as the right type of approach being developed or adopted to combat the nuisance of the Alien invasive species. Chlorinated hydrocarbons, being a big hazard not only for beneficial insects such as pollinators and Dragon flies but are extremely dangerous for human health are being poured into the environment literally in tons. Recent information from Balochistan reveals that cancer, hepatitis and renal problems have increased manifold because of the pesticides that get access to the aquifers. Ziarat is known for apples and cherries and being an intensive user of the 9

pesticides that are registered by the Provincial Government without being undertaking the needful testing for their efficacy and consequent negative impacts on the biodiversity. The regulatory capacities of the Provincial Government are almost nonexistent and reporting the same to CBD remains a far flung idea. More than 10% of Pakistans land is under the protected area network. Almost all of the protected areas were created at a time when the concept of biodiversity was hardly understood in the context of species, genetic resources or natural ecosystems and, hence none fulfill the criteria of CBD if critically assessed. The available protected areas were created, wherever it was easy to do and had an animal or plant that could have been highlighted to seek justification for the existence of the institution. None has boundaries that are demarcated on the ecological requirements of species found in the protected areas or created because it had several ecosystems together, the proper management of which shall secure its natural goods and services for the people of Pakistan. Most of the protected areas are not covered by management plans, or even a brief management regime that must tell of what needs to be done, when and how? Baseline information on what do we have in this country, though available only for a selected group of natural components and, that too for certain small pockets, is not known for majority of the habitats in this country. How must a particular natural ecosystem look like, against what is left over, is hardly being documented. Changes occurring over the last few decades against a baseline and in response actions taken is hardly known for any landscape, ecosystem. Zoos, breeding centers, wildlife parks, aquaculture, herbaria, and botanical gardens are there but with diverse set of problems. Some are serious and beyond the capacity of CBD focal Ministry to help. There is lack of clarity of its role on part of the Zoos what they might contribute to improve biodiversity. Certain plant species are on their way out however the absence of coordination between the staff of the ex-situ and In-situ conservation initiatives resulting in nonexistence of plans and inaction for the restoration of such species through joint efforts. Except for a few pleasant exceptions, none of the captive bred animals have ever been released back into the wild to restore or establish a new population of a native species. With these issues and challenges, Pakistan has to re-orientate and focus its efforts save its biodiversity, and meet its obligations, committed in various Conferences of the Parties (COPs); 3. Analysis of Capacities that are required to meet the existing Challenges 3.1 Capacity for addressing the real issues The results of the current study revealed that there are serious capacity issues The Focal Ministry, being the most important in terms of its role and position, should have the capacity to do the following: i) ii) iii) iv) v) vi) Maintain a record of what has been done during various CoPs? Check if that has been fully shared with the departments and institutions that are responsible for the implementation of the decisions that were made and signed on behalf of such institutions/departments? Prepare a list of potential implementers, separate for species, genetic diversity and ecosystems? Designate a focal person and a team, responsible to undertake different obligations or contribute to specific targets Do consultations before attending the CoPs for incorporating the feelings and suggestions of the implementing agencies Arrange quality trainings, for implementing partners enabling them to understand the concept and core thinking of CBD, and monitor post training actions of the trainees. Arrange exposure visit for the implementers to areas where a part of the obligations are being met or actions being taken that contribute to the national targets 10

vii) viii) ix) x)

Identify sites to learn from. Maintain a record of what animals, birds, plants etc were saved and to the benefit of whom and how did it contribute to the overall goals of biodiversity conservation in Pakistan? Periodic follow up with implementers on progress on the implementation process. Mutually at the sub-national level develop a regular reporting system that obligates the implementers to share their activities or interventions and their results with the Focal Ministry. Study and assess such reports for gaps if any and share with the implementers and provide feedback for needful corrections

Discussions with relevant professionals from various institutions reveal that most of the above requirements are not being met which might be due to one, few or all of the following reasons: The capacity of the Focal Ministry to maintain a reasonable level of professional relationship with the implementers at provincial levels and provide the needful leadership has, somehow, been lacking or diminished. This could either be due to the lack of sufficient clarity on the roles and responsibilities of the focal Ministry after the devolution of the Federal Ministry of Environment, or the subject of coordination has never been discussed and taken to a logical conclusion with implementing partners. Biodiversity conservation has never been a priority for the Federal or Provincial Governments; it emerges and gain importance suddenly just before the COP or CBD conferences. Continuous and consistent efforts are thus lacking There is lack of persuasion on part of the focal ministry in persuading national and sub-national institutions for the implementation of CBD and BAP. This has been restricted to asking for reports but nothing beyond. Several staff of the provincial departments have been deputed, each year, to attend meetings/conferences abroad but no one has come back with a presentation to those who couldnt attend on what was discussed in the conference or what was learnt from the meetings

While assessing the nature and impacts of the available capacities in relevant institutions upon the performance of the country on CBD, it was found that there are certain deficiencies in the available management structure at various levels that do not allow the country to conserve its biodiversity resources to the satisfaction of the people of Pakistan, the region or the world. The gap becomes rather obvious in light of the following questions and situation analysis: Are the issues of biodiversity addressed in their true sense? Species diversity is one, (with our focus only on a few, not all). Genetic diversity is the second with no focus on it as an obligation of the CBD. Ecosystem diversity is third with no map at all from alpine pastures to the coast zone, no plans, no base line, and no knowledge of good and bad practices, no trend study and no management regimes. Is there a policy to protect the Biodiversity in the context of its obligations? If no, why, if yes, is it known for it being implemented anywhere? Has an impact study on biodiversity resources of our good and bad practices been conducted? Is the flow of chemicals through various routes and its ultimate access to the ecosystems that are homes to the most precious elements of Biodiversity documented? Is any data available on how many species were lost in the last two decades alone? What is the status of protection of the precious varieties of medicinal plants; and its sustainable benefits to the communities? How much do we know about the Alien invasive species, their impacts on the natural ecosystems and the remedial measures? Have we recovered the population of even one species of animal or plant that has either gone extinct in the wild or stay at critically threatened level through restocking from the Botanical gardens, gene banks, breeding centers, zoos, etc? How many of Ex-situ conservation facilities have ever supported the rehabilitation of wild populations in places where these are not being seen now? Did anyone notice 11

the plight of Rhododendron from the Shinkiari Forests and arranged for its cultivation in any Botanical gardens for its rehabilitation back in the area of its occurrence. Did we ever bother to notice the birds that used to feed on the nectar of its flowers in March/April? What happened to those birds that are left with no such trees in their habitats? Did we notice the plight of Siberian crane and drastic decline in the number of migratory birds because of the traditional hunting practices that we accept as part of local culture? Do we know the species or their populations that were lost because of our respect or recognition for the local culture?

The Ministry of Climate Change (previously the Ministry of Environment) is the Focal ministry that has a special unit for issues related to Biodiversity. However, due to insufficient level of interactions with relevant departments and institutions, and lack of commitment for Biodiversity conservation at higher levels which is possible only when there is a high-powered committee at Federal level, making decisions that is acceptable to the implementation partners and are obligatory for them to adopt. Currently, there are no such arrangements. A Biodiversity Working Group does exists under the auspices of the Ministry of Climate Change which meets occasionally to discuss different agenda points but this is not enough to address serious issues such as those of Biodiversity. Accordingly, many of the issues that need priority attention are not being addressed. Moreover, obligations are accepted at different level while the implementation is expected from entities who do not get appropriate briefing on what is being accepted or has already been accepted. Accordingly, many of them do not own the obligations. Due to the fore mentioned deficiencies in coordination, support mechanism and subsequent monitoring, several other problems emerge that are simply ignored. Some are as follows: The CBD and BAP both are concerned with the land degradation, loss of species and genetic diversity. There has been hardly any effort to jointly establish the priorities and determine ways and means to address these. The occupation of critical ecosystems by people is a continuous process but hardly mention as a problem at all. The reason could either be the difficulty in addressing the issue, so no need felt even to identify and recognize it as an issue or it could just be the lack of capacity within the concerned departments/institutions to know about it. Addressing the issue through practical interventions comes later in the sequence which is still far from being initiated. Various categories of Protected areas are being designated however the issue is boundary demarcation on the basis of the ecological requirements of it biodiversity followed by a management plan and seeking support to implement it persists.. Social Mobilization has been carried out for protecting certain species to earn money from its trophy hunting responding to local economic problems. Though it keeps them motivated to protect selected animals from illicit hunting however, there is hardly any effort to keep the community bound not to overgraze the natural pastures, protect associated species of plants and animals, and provide absolute protection to predators. A Marine national park has yet to be established in Pakistan and absolute protection provided to a bigger chunk of marine Biodiversity. The importance of weed sciences has been realized in various academic institutions however the capacity to understand the negative influences of Alien invasive species and adopt corrective measures remains an issue. The Breeding centers and the wildlife parks, several in numbers, are there already. However, it has been possible only for a breeding center in Rahim Yar Khan to release about 350 Chinkara deer in the wild (which are reported to have grown enormously in number because of adequate protection) and Nizampur wildlife park to release Chinkara in the wild (reported for being doing well in the wild), the rest focus more on commercial gains or maintained as source of public recreation. The Botanical gardens (list appended) have good collection of plants that is good for people to get awareness about plants but the coordinators of the Botanical Gardens have hardly any plan to focus on 12

plants that are endangered in status in their natural habitats or on their way to extinction. The field officers in the Forest or other relevant departments seldom explore the possibility of benefiting from botanical gardens to restore some of the species. It is difficult for the botanical gardens network to meet regularly and share experiences and achievements with each other

3.2. Needful capacities for Policy, and management and implementation

In the context of CBD, development of biodiversity action plan was a great task, undertaken by more than 70 professionals of Pakistan. Many more policy documents such as Forest Policy, National conservation strategy, Provincial strategies etc were some of the marvelous work done in the past to identify issues and devise relevant policy approaches. Accordingly, it will be not be fair to assume that the country has no capacity for the formulation of policies, however, policies regarding emerging issues in relation to addressing the critical In-situ and Ex-situ biodiversity conservation issues and climate change adaptations are certainly required to be formulated. Moreover, there are certain confusions in existing policies that affect the management decisions negatively. Confusions in management decisions certainly affect the overall implementation of policies related to CBD. Examples are quoted as under: 3.2.1 In-situ conservation There is no specific national or provincial policy for biodiversity, wildlife and protected areas to provide comprehensive direction or guidance on how should the protected areas be created, with what pre-requisites of size, boundaries, planning, management and monitoring and evaluation, and interlinking this with wildlife, genetic resources and ecosystem diversity both inside and outside of protected areas. Are protected areas for people or people are for protected-areas is unclear too. In Pakistan there are three types of Protected Areas established in the public sector namely: Wildlife Sanctuary, National Park and Game Reserve. The former two are strictly protected against any sort of exploitation (which is hardly so) while in the Game Reserves occasional hunting is allowed on special permits, but with no measures to conserve or ameliorate the habitat. National Parks are also places of recreation/ecotourism and offer opportunities for education and awareness programmes but there is hardly any use of these as national Parks. Also established in the private sector are the Community Controlled Hunting Areas where hunting is allowed only with the permission of owner(s) or the community. Habitat development may or may not be undertaken in private game reserves. Wildlife Protection Acts/Ordinances are silent about community participation/involvement in the management process of PAs, providing no legal coverage and rules for this important aspect. Most of the Protected Areas established have at times multiple ownerships. The biodiversity related activities in Protected Areas are undertaken by the provincial Wildlife Departments but the ownership lies with other resource management departments e.g., Lal Suhanra National Park in Punjab though established under the Punjab Wildlife Act 1974 is owned and managed by the Punjab Forest Department; Taunsa Barrage Wildlife Sanctuary is owned and managed by the Punjab Irrigation & Power Department. The Punjab Fisheries Department is another stakeholder in the management of the wildlife sanctuary. Under such circumstances With multiple ownerships conflicting management objectives may result. Most often the management of resources other than wildlife comes in conflict such as the management of fisheries most often comes in conflict with the

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management of migratory birds and the conservation of turtles, crocodiles and dolphins; forestry operations are directly in conflict with the habitat management for the wildlife species. Clear demarcation of the boundaries of Protected Areas (PA) does not exist. Conflicts arise due to non-availability of clear boundary demarcation, such as in the matter of trophy hunting in the buffer zone/community-controlled hunting area, resource use by local people and other government departments and land tenure/ownership claims. Rights and concessions of communities residing inside or around the PAs are still undecided in majority of the cases. PA management and locals remain confused and in conflict over the use of resources in PAs. Generally, protected areas exist only on paper. Following their designation, there is virtually no planning or management on the ground. In the case of most protected areas, management plans have not been developed and implemented. Existing use regimes within protected areas do not comply with wildlife laws and the current statutory categories available under the law do not accommodate legally invalid but otherwise acceptable uses, within sustainability limits, to ensure community participation and support. Such arrangements, where they have been attempted, are extra-legal administrative decisions taken in an exploratory manner and applicable mainly to communal land outside protected areas. The institutional framework is generally inadequate and specifically inappropriate when it comes to in situ conservation. The capacity of the Wildlife Department is weak in a number of areas, such as education, training, research, survey, assessment, planning, management and monitoring. Staff competencies at all levels are not adequate. Personnel lack commitment, motivation and objectivity, and accountability is non-existent. Shortage of vehicles, equipment and facilities including non-availability of GIS facility as a planning tool is an issue. Consequently, senior technical staff lack focus and direction as well as technical guidance and supervision. The Wildlife Departments representation and contribution in external fora has also suffered as a result. The database on wildlife populations including aquatic and marine, habitats, habitat relationships and resource planning and management assessments for in situ conservation are lacking. Research and monitoring facilities are not adequate to meet the challenges of PA management. The social, economic, environmental and cultural value of biodiversity, wildlife and protected areas has not been recognized. Concerted efforts to create a broad understanding of these linkages, or to enhance and demonstrate these values are lacking. As a result, public demand for conservation does not exist, and the necessary political will and public support are lacking. The local communities and populations are not consulted during the planning, development, management and monitoring activities related to Protected Areas and hence they dont take the ownership. Inter- and intra-agency coordination and interaction with non-state stakeholders (non-government organizations, communities, the private sector, research and educational institutions, and the media) are negligible. Since wildlife and biodiversity conservation are not seen as a priority, funding for the sector has always been low. In-situ conservation activities are financed in general through the state budget, and the allocations do not match the needs for implementing the required activities. In real terms even the allocated amounts are often not released.

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The areas outside the Protected Areas obviously do not get the attention of the managers, in that these are considered to be nobodys domain whereas their management and application of management is as important as that of the PA itself. Most of the Protected Areas have been established on forest and rangeland areas however most of the forest and rangeland areas are outside the domain of PAs. Such areas are store house of biodiversity that needs to be conserved. Even though the forests and rangelands are worked under management plans (Working Plans), biodiversity conservation gets a second priority thus it is apprehended that the biodiversity available/occurring in such areas may be lost or impacted because of certain harvesting/exploitation practices that are not pro conservation. Public waters support both the floral and faunal biodiversity. Fisheries sector is involved in harvesting the resources from both inland (fresh water) and marine water resources. Overexploitation and illegal fishing practices have adversely impacted the biodiversity of inland waters especially the fish fauna in northern mountain streams has been depleted. A thorough survey of the aquatic biodiversity has not been conducted however the available scanty information suggests that many fish species populations have drastically declined. The construction of barrages and water reservoirs has also reduced the habitat and range of fish species such as Mahaseer (Tor tor) and Hilsa. Indus dolphin (Platonist gangetica minor) has also been similarly affected. The following capacity gaps were identified: -Trained and mobile staff to check illegal fishing -Research support in the form of independent researchers or linkages with research organizations -Arranging fish ladders in dams and barrages through coordination with WAPDA Sporadic efforts have however been made to study the fish diversity of Indus river; 93 fish species have been reported from the Indus River stretch in Indus and Swat Kohistan area in Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa; 77 fish species have been identified from Chashma Barrage Pond area; 67 fish species have been reported from Taunsa Barrage Pond area. However, the abundance of fish species has not been scientifically determined. Some empirical studies on the ecology of fishes have also been conducted. The main emphasis has however been on the commercial fishing viz., collecting the fish seed from the rivers to stock and further breed the commercial fishes in Government and private fish hatcheries and fish farms. The Punjab Fisheries Department has even been stocking public waters by adding fish hatchlings and fingerlings of different sizes in a bid to stock the water for a future improved catch. In the year 2011-12 the Punjab Fisheries Department stocked six million fingerlings of 2 inch to 5 inch long, mainly limited to the commercial fish species. Recently the Punjab Fisheries Department has started breeding programmes of some noncommercial fish species and after successful breeding have stocked them in Chashma Barrage Pond area. The intervention has however not been followed through by monitoring the success of the release/stocking. Some studies are also underway to study the plank tonic biodiversity of Indus river waters but such studies are still in infancy. The Agriculture Department has the responsibility to check that the persistent types of pesticides that are already banned in Pakistan, do not get access to the farmers through traders but this is not happening so. The research institutions, specially the Agriculture universities have no capacity to provide information on the current status of pollinators and Dragon flies that are environmental indicators. 15

While Agriculture departments lack facilities and equipment to determine which plants, vegetables or fruit has been sprayed with chlorinated hydrocarbons. The policy, if exists on the uses of pesticides already, has to be reviewed or a new one framed to protect the countrys species and natural ecosystems from being destroyed at heavy costs of peoples livelihoods that are closely linked to these. The unwise uses of pesticides were noted as one of the biggest disaster of biodiversity in Pakistan. During consultations with experts on pollinators and dragon flies, it was indicated that the populations of all such creatures have gone down by 70%.(List of scientists attached). Though none was sure on the extinction of species, all were sure of the loss of invertebrates, especially insects. 3.2.2 Ex-situ conservation: i) ANIMALS

The main constraints for the animals ex-situ conservation are: The Lack of animal breeding facilities The lack of proper maintenance of records; pedigree Lack of technologies for mass reproduction, aimed to encourage animal species reintroduction/s Lack of funding opportunities and mechanisms; except for Lahore Zoo which is self-sufficient in financial terms, all other facilities in the public sector depend on government financing which is insufficient to a large extent to adequately maintain the facilities. The private collections are amateur and even though claimed to be regulated by government are not monitored. They are not essential for animal conservation purposes. One of the most exotic ways for ex-situ conservation of wild animals is crio-conservation of genome but this is still in its infancy in Pakistan. Lack of understanding on translocation of captive animals in the wild ii) Plant resources in Botanical Gardens

It appears in its present set up that the network would not be successful if its regional members and affiliated governmental organization are not committed in advancing the missions objectives. There is dire need to immediately link up or incorporate the network with a larger organization, like ministry of climate change and departments of forestry for grant of funding as a source of revenue to sustain the network in meeting its objectives. It is important for the members to share information, develop innovative approaches to address this issue and develop a stronger voice in lobbying for mandatory funding as a more desirable approach to run the network. In order to accomplish this, the network proposes to be meeting soon somewhere in Pakistan to come up with a long lasting solution. (By Dr Amin ul Haq) Results of a questionnaire (Annexed) that was discussed with, and filled by the coordinators of the Botanical gardens revealed that none of them were involved in any policy formulation process on Ex-situ conservation. There have been no evaluations of the scope and effectiveness of conserving key 16

components of Pakistans biodiversity through EX-situ conservation efforts. Similarly, there is no list of species that are in need of Ex-situ conservation efforts-indigenous wild vegetables, and medicinal and aromatic plants etc. The study further reveals that there is hardly any mechanism that is being followed for the establishment of priorities, in consultation with the field managers-foresters, Field Biologists etc, of plant species that are endangered in the wild and need to be cultivated in Botanical gardens for the replenishment of the wild habitats of such species. Such gaps might have to enhance the role of Botanical gardens in addressing the issues of vanishing plants from their wild habitats. This, however, need to create and maintain capacities in the existing and expanding network of the botanical gardens in the form of staff that is trained in cultivation techniques, and is capable to produce such plants in massive numbers for rehabilitating habitats that have lost the original plant species. The botanical gardens might have to have enhanced coordination capacities for tackling the endangered plants issues in collaboration with field managers. However, in order to be effective, the botanical gardens networks have to be well organized in terms of planning and policy matters, and especially must have enough information about the plant issues in the forest with focus on Reserve Forests and Protected Areas. 3.3 Erosion of key institutions and resultant reduction in capacities to handle Biodiversity issues The country has a few institutions that got eroded with the passage of time, mostly because of neglect. Such institutions, though still exist, their capacities to deliver the goods and services has been severely hampered in the past decade and a half. Although some are emerging back, it might take a long time for them to restore their fame and status of the past. A few examples are given below: -Pakistan Forest Institute has been the primary institution that has provided Resource Managers to this country right from the time of the creation of Pakistan in the form of forestry graduates to BSc and MSc levels. Although it continued with this function without any break, the lack of qualified teaching staff and enough funding to provide needful exposures to the students remained a big gap that affected the quality of training and the capacities of the graduates to address the issues of forestry and related biodiversity. Moreover, basic research information on forest ecosystems has always been provided by PFI. It has been maintaining excellent collection of insects and plant specimens beside several other useful functions that are directly related to conservation of Biodiversity. The existing capacity is not enough for PFI to continue with its traditional functions and cope with the new challenges that are emerging fast in the field of Biodiversity conservation and climate change. -Pakistan Agriculture Research Councils research establishments like Rangeland Research Institute, Land Resources Research Institute, Water Resources Research Institute, Honey Bee Research Institute, Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Resources, Animal Sciences Institute and Multidisciplinary Research Institutes at Karachi, Quetta, Bahawalpur, Umer Kot, Dera Ismail Khan and Gilgit etc have been endeavoring to generate knowledge and technologies for Biodiversity conservation and NRM in the country. However, these establishments badly lack in; Qualified and trained manpower, Lab and field equipment, Resources for better coordination and communication 17

-Zoological Survey of Pakistan (ZSP) was established in 1948, just after the independence of Pakistan. The ZSP has a pretty rich past of faunal surveys and related research. It has the mandate of exploration of the faunal diversity of Pakistan, which has seven distinct eco-regions with a wealth of biological diversity. To fulfill its mandate, restructuring for strengthening of ZSP is the prime step because the existing structure is deficient and aberrant to deliver the mandate ZSP has. Currently, in Pakistan no central database about biodiversity is present, where appropriate information about the species of concern can be viewed. At the same time, there is no public or shared access to the information on the work that has been completed or is ongoing by biodiversity research and conservation groups. Faunal and floral research in the country is neither directional nor consistent, resulting in heaps of collected data. In order to do it all, the strengthening of ZSD is inevitable.

4. Recommendations
4.1 Priority Capacity needs at federal level It is hardly being understood, especially in countries like Pakistan, that biodiversity has closer links with the prosperity and stability of a nation than many other elements of the sources of national economy. The crops that we produce, the fruits that we harvest, the water that we need, the energy that we require, are all linked to the conservation of biodiversity. We have lost almost all of our natural ecosystems for their healthy functions and services; the genetic resources are being severely depleted; the populations of species of the past are gone while some have been wiped out, and now we dont see much in the form of hope that the ecosystems shall be rehabilitated, or the species restored in the near future with gigantic efforts. While discussing the gaps in capacities of different institutions at federal and provincial levels with relevant professionals from all over the country (List appended), it was realized that 90% of the gaps exist within the Focal Ministry in various forms. It is unable to provide coordination support, has limited technical capacity in the Biodiversity unit to provide needful guidance and leadership to implementing institutions in the public and private sectors; and has limited financial capacity to provide help for interventions that are crucial for meeting the CBD obligations. The remaining 10 % gaps are related to the revamping of some of the institutions that used to be the back bone for management decisions in the past but got eroded because of neglect; and negative attitudes which though serious enough may dilute over time if the 90% is done. Secondly there is not enough political and administrative support, available for tackling issues related to biodiversity conservation, especially in the post 18th constitutional amendment scenario. The study has come up with certain recommendations that may help to fill in the existing gaps that are too wide to fill without elaborated efforts on part of the Focal Ministry/office. The recommended actions may not be enough and many more may emerge over time; moreover these may not be that professionally done, the language may be harsh, critical or the there might be gaps in the report in the form of grammars and spellings; but hope that these shall be accepted with attention focused on the core suggestions. These are as given as under starting with priority actions, needed to be done at the earliest: 4.1.1 Establish Biodiversity Councils or Steering Committees at Federal and provincial levels, Chaired by Minister, Climate Change at federal level and Ministers Environment/Forest and Wildlife at Provincial levels.

The importance of biodiversity may not emerge till the subject is owned at relevant political levels and has the support and ownership of the Government. Through the approval of the Cabinet, and under the Federal Minister for Climate Change, the NCCW may be re-notified as National Council for Biodiversity Conservation with additional 18

support in the form of qualified staff and needful funding. Agenda for the meeting may be decided by the existing Biodiversity Working Group in the context of the critical Biodiversity issues, BAP and CBD The Ministry of Climate Change may explore other options if this poses any problem Similarly, the Provincial Governments may establish similar bodies with relevant Minister as Chair and members drawn from relevant Departments and Institutions, such as Forests and wildlife Departments, Livestock, Agriculture, Universities, media etc 4.1.2 Strengthen the Biodiversity unit to provide coordination, and technical support; and undertake monitoring & evaluation of the needful interventions

The report on the obligations of CBD and achieving its targets is normally being asked from the IGFs office, with major responsibility on the Biodiversity unit; accordingly, coordination with relevant implementers is also their responsibility. However, without needful technical capacities in the Biodiversity unit in the form of a minimum of 4 qualified and trained professionals, and adequate funding for frequent travelling, and money to support various activities at Provincial and Federal level, the unit shall stay ineffective and same shall be the office and the Ministry. Accordingly, it is suggested that for the effective implementation of CBD and BAP, it is vital for the Climate change Ministry to strengthen the Biodiversity unit further not only for assisting the proposed councils/committees at Federal and Provincial levels but to undertake actions that shall contribute significantly to the implementation of CBD to the desired levels. Without the needful technical capacity and money in hand, the role of the Ministry/Focal office/ Focal unit shall be hardly accepted and their advice honored. The study considers it vital next to the political and administrative support, discussed earlier. 4.1.3 Seek adequate funding to support activities/intervention that are closely related to the objectives of Biodiversity conservation

The Focal Ministry has an important role of steering the process of Biodiversity conservation. There are numerous activities that are neglected by the recognized and traditional implementers for petty small reasons. These could be done by others under the direct supervision of the Biodiversity Unit, provided it has the funding support. If so, the study has identified the needful actions as follows: 4.1.4 Establish support mechanism for funding small initiatives on Biodiversity There are several NGOs, and CBOs wanting to do research or do field conservation. However, they normally lack money to do it. If they are taken on board and educated a bit on what is required in the context of CBD, they can do wonders. Since located in far off places, they can have access to information that may be difficult for bigger organizations to get access to. The focal ministry may explore organizations such as WWF who provide small grants to sponsor brief but useful initiatives. Any grant given through the Biodiversity unit may make it easier for them to guide smaller organization on what to do and get reports when the task is completed. The same could be done with the provincial institution that lacks the capacity to undertake field conservation interventions. 4.1.5 Support relevant organizations to develop independent strategies in light of the CBD and BAP for implementation There are several organizations that are working on issues related to Biodiversity; however, such work is either linked to the available funding, or is situation based, yielding thus no benefits when it comes to reporting for CBD. A little efforts on part of the Focal Ministry may orientate such work properly if they are encouraged to develop a strategic frame work, obviously addressing the issues which are both included in the mandate of their organizations but do help to contribute to the targets of CBD 19

4.1.6

Formulate various professional committees for seeking their opinions on different aspects of In-situ and Ex-situ conservation, as and when needed.

Professionals may be identified from all over the country, to be parts of one, or more of the following technical group and supported for attending meetings, as and when required so: Wildlife, wetlands and Rangeland/pastures Forests, watersheds and catchments Medicinal plants, weeds and Invasive species Agriculture/livestock and pesticides In-land Fisheries Marine fisheries Research Institutions/units Encourage and support proposals that involve more than one organization for implementation.

4.1.7

Working in isolation from others has emerged as a dangerous culture among the institutions. The trend may not only lead to wastage of resources because of duplication in efforts and interventions but also do inculcate the culture of conflicts between institutions. Any effort that avoid or minimize such trends shall directly help the conservation of Biodiversity. Besides many more methods, making them work jointly through a project or programme is one way of doing so. This is possible if this approach is shared with potential donors for them to make it a condition for funding a proposal 4.1.8 Promote the inter-provincial coordination between relevant institutions.

The Provincial Departments in the potential implementer groups have qualified and experienced professionals. They do too much but in their provinces and at selected locations which are never known to people from other provinces. The study reveals that lack of frequent interaction between such organizations keep many of them deprived of the knowledge and experience, gained by others and have no opportunity to use the lessons that were learnt from various processes and approaches. Accordingly, it is recommended that the inter-provincial coordination between relevant organizations must be promoted with Biodiversity as common element of discussion and strategizing. 4.1.9 Coordinate with relevant institutions that have similar mandate to pool up resources for overcoming the constraint of resource deficiency to certain extent.

There are several activities that are common in the mandate of several institutions; however, none is working jointly with other to realize a common output. One organization may lack trained and experience staff, while the other may not have money to undertake a challenge, which may be common to both. These are the kind of situations that demand the pooling up of resources for realizing critical biodiversity outcome or outputs. 4.1.10 Mobilize the implementers adopt the approach of management decisions being linked to research findings on issues related to In-situ and Ex-situ conservation There are two aspects of this particular recommendation; one relates to the Field Managers who may take management decisions without appropriate support from research findings. They have to adopt it as a practice for them to be surer of the efficiency and effectiveness of their management decisions; and secondly the various research organizations and units which exist both as independent units or part of bigger institutions such as a

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university or a research cell in a Government Department to make sure that they undertake topics that are of crucial importance to achieving the targets of CBD or BAP and have been identified by field managers to be so. 4.1.11 Encourage institutional linkages between the in situ and Ex-situ conservation organizations on priority issue of Biodiversity conservation in the context of CBD and BAP The country has a number of facilities in the form of Botanical Gardens, herbaria, Natural History collections and Museums; Animal breeding centers, wildlife parks and zoos; and aquaculture. However, most of these exist in isolation from each other, without appropriate planning and agenda and without any linkages with field staff of relevant departments to get benefits from each other in the broader interest of Biodiversity Conservation and meeting obligations and targets of CBD. There has been good progress in the establishment of Botanical Gardens(List appended) but with no linkages with Field managers of Forest department to see if they can help in the restoration of certain plant species that have been cut to the maximum and may vanish altogether if not grown and saved in the Botanical Gardens. Similarly, the HH Sheikh Zyed Breeding centre in Rahim Yar Khan has been producing Chinkara deer for free distribution to Provincial Wildlife Department (List appended) but with inadequate facilities with respective wildlife department to release and monitor them in the Field. KP Wildlife department has already released a few hundreds of them but all the rest have to do same to re-stock the natural ecosystems of Chinkara deer. Similar is the case with zoos and other facilities. The study reveals that most of such organizations do not feel themselves as contributors to the cause of Biodiversity conservation. Continuing with this attitude may deprive the country of a good source of information and potential contributor to the CBD obligations 4.1.12 Regulate the use of pesticides before all pollinators are lost and the insect predators and parasites killed, leading to the environmental disasters that shall stay out of the Governments capacity to control then This has been established that many of the insect fauna cannot survive the current load of pesticides in the surrounding environment. Farmers and professionals believe that majority are already gone while the rest are following. The effect of pesticides, when used down in the valleys can affect snow leopards up in the alpine areas (Snow leopard symposium 1993). If that is the case, the situation of lower animals could be well visualized.

4.2 Capacity development of key institutions. - Undertake actions to strengthen Pakistan Forest Institute (PFI); Zoological Survey Department (ZSD); various establishments under the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) and other research institutions to develop and maintain an effective base for management-based research
- The role of PFI as producer of future managers for the conservation of Biodiversity must be recognized with due attention to its up gradation to a level when it can produce mangers to cope not only with traditional forestry issues but also with issues of landscape management, climate change adaptations, natural disasters and problems and issues that might cause environmental disasters at some point in time

4.3 Capacity development needs for undertaking relevant initiatives

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- Extend the scope of, and develop Forest Working Plans for each Forest Division with focus on Biodiversity Conservation in forests, and surrounding watersheds/ rangelands/pastures. Medicinal plant conservation should be given special attention in the working plans - Each protected area must a management plan with focus on removing crucial deficiencies that

the report has identified earlier or available in another recent report by the Ministry and IUCN farming-dominant ecosystems, genetic diversity and plans to improve upon these

- Demarcate Agro-ecological zones with baseline information on available species in the

- Each river and stream and dam/ reservoir must have a management plan that include the native fish varieties, their status, trends, threats and measures to minimize the impacts of such threats. The plan may suggest and implement measures that could remove barriers from the migration routes of fish, control exotic invasive fish species and develop aquaculture to reduce pressures from the wild fish populations. WAPDA has recently included fish ladder in the design of Warsak barrage that is a good precedence to be followed in other dams and barrages. Also control the use of dynamites, electric shocks and use of poisons in rivers and streams for fishing. Reintroduction of some of the endangered species such as Mahaser must be undertaken

- Establish a Marine National Park -Provide baseline information on the status of marine fisheries, the problems that they face and possible remedies Secure water, indigenous knowledge and biodiversity by identifying and managing ecologically important landscapes, such as the Karakorum-Pamir, Neelum Valley, Broghil pass etc. within the country and, when essential, across in the neighboring countries Initiate the formulation of a policy that restrict the occupation of critical watersheds for residential purposes and land uses other than conservation of Biodiversity and start implementing at pilot scale.

4.4 Capacity needs for Protected Areas

- Conservation programmes to integrate conservation activities and protected area management with regional and local land use planning. - Gearing the conservation of biodiversity towards areas outside the PAs including the buffer zones, Land use practices in agriculture, forestry, range and watershed management and fisheries. Such practices may include the adoption of Integrated Pest Management approaches, incentives for the use of traditional cultivars, more diverse forest plantations, using indigenous species wherever possible, incorporation of biodiversity concerns into forest management plans, and meeting the freshwater requirements of adjacent wetlands through irrigation systems. - Treating the protected areas and adjacent buffer zones as a single planning unit and managed as such. - Enhancing the capacity of local communities and NGOs living outside the PAs to conserve, manage, and sustainably use biodiversity by providing technical assistance and training to local communities, enhancing

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local awareness of, and commitment to, biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, and building bridges between government and communities to foster joint management of biodiversity. -Putting activities in natural habitats outside of protected areas in line with the PA management plans and leading towards the conservation of biodiversity. -Providing access to development personnel, land-use planners, aid agencies and the national and provincial planning authorities to information about biodiversity. This includes information about the location of biological hot spots and rare and endangered species.

4.5 Capacity needs for the study of aquatic plant diversity

The base data on the fresh water biodiversity including the aquatic plants, fish species (both commercial and non-commercial), amphibians and reptiles, invertebrates and the planktons (phytoplankton and zooplanktons) should be collected. The status of aquatic biodiversity (floral and faunal species) should be determined. The emphasis may be given to the species of concern (commercial and those whose population is known to be diminishing. The species of concern when identified, efforts may be made to artificially breed them in hatcheries for their possible future stocking in public waters to help improve their status. Stock the hatchery bred fish species in public waters to reach carrying capacity levels. Improve the fish ladders to help the fish move to and from their spawning grounds. This has been tried recently in Warsak dam but needs to be replicated all over Research and monitoring facilities may be enhanced through capacity building in coordination with relevant institutions. Communities may also be involved in conservation activities by introducing incentives

4.6 Capacity needs for Ex-situ Conservation

4.6.1 Animals

Methodological guidelines for the ex-situ conservation and breeding of rare and valuable animals may be developed and published; A comprehensive scientific-methodological analytic center may be established to coordinate activities and compile complete information on animal groups and organizations conserving and breeding them, as well as to hold training courses; Skills and specializations in the young generations may be developed by developing and establishing special courses on animals ex-situ conservation. Guidelines addressing the safe introduction of animals may be developed A national policy may be formulated to address ex-situ conservation issues; A directory of existing ex-situ conservation initiatives, including herbaria, livestock breeding farms, genome banks, germ plasm collections, plant breeding centers, zoological gardens and private collections may be compiled. Priority species and genetic resources in need of further ex-situ conservation efforts may be identified that should also include an assessment of the need for captive breeding programmes for commercially valuable, threatened species of indigenous wild fauna and medicinal plants. Ex-situ conservation efforts may be integrated among different institutions. Institutions involved in captive breeding of rare species must set aside resources for rehabilitation schemes and for protection of natural habitats of those species. 23

Measures must be taken to ensure that the collection of genetic resources from the wild does not endanger the survival of remaining wild populations. 4.6.2 Plants

Institutions involved in ex-situ conservation of biodiversity include: the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), the Plant Genetics Resource Institute, and the Animal Sciences Research Institute. Microbiological collections are held at the Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB), National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), the Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI) and the Karachi and Islamabad Universities; and in addition to the above, there are several Botanical gardens in various cities/universities of Pakistan. However, each has a capacity gap to do the required functions which could be overcome if the strategic recommendations, given above are adopted. 5. CONCLUSION

Pakistan is losing fast its Biodiversity resources because of the lack of needful capacities at various different levels in relevant institutions both in the public and private sectors; and the insufficient institutional arrangements for effective coordination and financial support. The problems of coordination between Focal Ministry at federal level and the relevant Provincial Departments and Institutions have become rather confused, and often difficult due to the devolution of the Federal Environment Ministry as a result of the 18th constitutional amendment; however, it doesnt relieve the Focal Ministry for CBD, till it stays so, of its responsibility to overcome the deficiencies by adopting alternate mechanisms and approaches. Although this issue is beyond the scope of the present study, it has closer linkages with the overall implementation process of CBD and BAP. It might be good if the situation is analysed in the context of the post 18th amendment scenario and its impacts upon the capacity of the Focal ministry to meet the National obligations of International conventions like those of CBD. Although the Focal Ministry is struggling hard to satisfy the demands and obligations of the CBD, the lack of clarity of their role in the post 18th amendment scenario, followed by certain institutional gaps within the focal Ministry along with attitudinal, knowledge and personal issues at various other levels, is making the process rather hard. Accordingly, a little bit of serious attention to resolve it, once for all, shall bring in more benefits in terms of conservation of Biodiversity as compared to the current level. Hope is always there. The Pakistani institutions have several professionals, capable enough to provide the needful leadership for undertaking tasks of international quality provided they get the additional technical staff and financial resources which in turn is dependent upon the effective coordination and support mechanism of the Focal Institutions. Last but not the least is the dire need of realization for the top leadership of the country that Biodiversity is closely linked to the well being of the people of Pakistan. The people shall exists if the Biodiversity is intact. 6. The way forward The recommendations contained in the report shall merely go waste if not used for getting a proposal developed by organizations that have experience in policy formulations and institutional reforms. They may start searching donors jointly with the Ministry of Climate change and start work on needful reforms to make sure that Pakistan meets its obligations under CBD and implement BAP. With the present setup at the Ministrys level and the capacities that exists in Civil Society Organizations, there is no fear that the gaps shall be filled for a better to-morrow.

ANNEX 1

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ANNEX 2 Key institutions/departments that were visited:

- KP Agriculture University (vice chancellor and professionals on pollinators, listed separately) - KP wildlife Department - KP fisheries Department (Director Fisheries) - Baluchistan Forest, Wildlife, and Agriculture Departments and Balochistan University - Punjab wildlife, forest and fisheries department, Government College - Sind Forest, wildlife, Coastal development authority, IUCN, Zoological Gardens - Federal Ministry of Climate Change, NCCW, NARC

ANNEX 3 Group of Scientists who were consulted on the status of pollinators in Pakistan:
1. Prof. Dr. Inayatullah Dean, Faculty of Crop Protection Sciences, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Agricultural University Peshawar 2. Prof. Dr. Farmanullah IPM Specialist Department of Plant Protection Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agricultural University Peshawar 3. Prof. Dr. Sajjad Ahmad Department of Entomology Faculty of Crop Protection Sciences Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agricultural University Peshawar Pakistan 4. Prof. Dr. Sohail Ahmad Live Stock Management Faculty of Animal Husbandary and Vet. Sciences Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agricultural University Peshawa

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ANNEX 4 Questionnaire for the focal unit in the ministry of climate change QUESTIONS FOR BIODIVERSITY UNIT: How much of the natural ecosystems are protected in the form PA network? Are they really protected? Yes No to a certain extent

What percentage of such protected areas would be just called as Paper Parks? Is there any area, anywhere in Pakistan that is of particular interest to biodiversity, and is protected only because of this? What is being protected? Any species OF PLANT OR ANIMAL that had a declining trend in such an area like a species A, B C D etc however because of the conservation efforts in the last 10-15 years: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. It has now been restored totally/partially/ to a little extent A restoration/recovery plan is in place and approved by the relevant authorities Funds are available to implement the plan Funds are being sought Nothing is being done

Any threatened species of the past, A PLANT, AN ANIMAL, AN INSECT, A RETILE ETC that is no longer threatened because of our efforts in area(s)? Has there been any effort to explore and document and preserve the indigenous knowledge related to conservation of species, gene pools, use of a rangeland, a pasture, a wetland etc.? Any biodiversity product (forage, wild vegetables, medicinal plants etc) derived/allowed from natural ecosystems while keeping the productive capacity of the concerned ecosystem rather intact? Any example where the unwise uses of a species or its habitats has been reduced in the past 10 years? Do we still have chances to recover these? Any species that was declared as threatened, and only because of this, has been refused for international trade? Any habitat/ecosystem anywhere in Pakistan that had a declining trend but was protected; and as a result thereof, it is now on road to recovery? Any example of a path/source that was used by invasive plant or animal species to enter Pakistan has been blocked or controlled? Where and with what results? NO Has there been any management plan with focus on the control, management of alien species that threatens or has already threatened the health of a natural ecosystem(s)? NO Has there been any effort in the past; or an effort underway to identify species of animals or plants that are more vulnerable to climate change and may get negatively affected because of climate change? No 27

If yes, any intervention, research or otherwise, that may reduce o r has already reduced such vulnerability Has there been any effort to reduce pollution in a natural ecosystem, simply because to increase chances for the species survival or reduce the negative impacts of pollution on such species? NO Has there been any effort to maintain the health of any of the natural ecosystems for it to continue with the same level of goods and services? If yes, where? NO Has there been any search for a traditional knowledge or practices which were good to support livelihood options and maintain the productivity of an ecosystem? If yes, were there any efforts to preserve these? Are these still practiced, if yes, where? NO QUESTION RELATED TO CBD Who did sign the CBD on behalf of Pakistan and accepted the obligations? PM Were the relevant stakeholders known and consulted before the obligations were accepted? NO Were such obligations shared with the stakeholders who were supposed to implement these? NO Had such stakeholders the capacity to fulfill such obligations? NO If yes, what %age of such obligations might have fulfilled so far? Only protected area declaration Were there any coordination/monitoring at any level to know if such obligations are being met? Biodiversity working groups were formulated but seldom used How often the progress reports were asked for? CBD reports are asked every third year-meetings are also held What was the response when such reports were asked for? They dont feel happy since irritated because of not being part of the foreign meetings When the progress in CoPs was presented, was it based on the Provincial Efforts? Yes Did the Provincial stakeholders ever made a complaint that they dont have the capacity to control the Biodiversity degradation which is going at a fast rate and which has affected such and such species or such and such ecosystems? They do complaint Has anyone from the Ministry ever bothered to see if the obligations of the CBD are being met (SeLDOM); and if there are certain gaps, these need to be filled through help from the Federal Government? GEF, PSD Program etc.

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ANNEX 5 QUESTIONNAIRE FOR THE COORDINATORS OF BOTANICAL GARDENS

1. Have you been involved in the formulation of, or aware of the existence of a National policy on exsitu conservation? 2. Does a list of all herbaria, botanical gardens, germ plasm collection, plant breeding centres exist, if yes where, and who update and maintains it? 3. Has there been any evaluation of the scope and effectiveness of conserving key components of Paks biodiversity through ex-situ conservation effort? 4. Has anyone identified and developed a list of species that are in need of ex-situ conservation efforts-valuable indigenous wid vegetables and medicinal and aromatic plants? 5. Have you ever applied, and got funding to strengthen the ex-situ program? 6. How many institutions do collaborate to promote integration of ex-situ efforts? 7. Have there been any efforts for the rehabilitation back in the wild of species that are target of your ex-situ program? 8. How do you make sure that the species you collect from the wild for your ex-situ program do not affect the wild populations 9. Have there been any legal measures requiring the development of management plans for harvested species?

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ANNEX 6 LIST OF BOTANICAL GARDENS IN PAKISTAN

(HEC/Federal Govt. funded Botanical Gardens and Secretariat) S. No. Botanical Garden Area (Acres) Funding source Amount (m Rs.) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. University of Peshawar Quaid-e-Azam Uni. Islamabad Shah Abdul Latif Uni. Khairpur Sindh Malakand University Karachi University AJK University Balochistan University National Botanical Garden Islamabad PBGN Secretariat Lahore 100 30 17 16 37 27 735 HEC HEC HEC HEC HEC HEC HEC Federal Govt. Federal Govt. 37.861 30 32 29 29 34 35 _ 36 m

Table No. 2. Members of Pakistan Botanic Gardens Network (PBGN) S. No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Botanic Garden Govt. College University Lahore University of the Punjab University of Agriculture Faisalabad Bahaud Din Zakriya University Multan Governor House Lahore Punjab Forest Inst. Faisalabad Shakarganj Sugar Res. Inst. FC College, Lahore Category University -do-do-doGovt. Research Inst. -doCollege Region Punjab -do-do-do-do-do-do-do-

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9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26.

GC Samanabad, Lahore Danishmandan BG, Lahore Islamia University Bahawalpur Govt. College Sahiwal University of Karachi Sindh University Jamshoro SA Latif Uni. Khairpur Sindh Hamdard University Karachi Kohat University of S&T, NWFP University of Peshawar GPGJ College Swat Liaqat Ali Botanic Garden Qarshi Garden Hattar NWFP University of Balochistan University of AJK Muzaffarabad Mian Brothers Nursery Baghe-i-Jinnah Lahore Oasis Botanical Garden

-doSchool University College University -do-do-do-do-do-doPrivate Private University -doPrivate TMA Private

-do-doPunjab -doSindh -do-do-doNWFP -do-do-doNWFP Balochistan AJK Punjab -do-do-

Table No. 3. A new trend of Quranic Gardens in the Islamic World S. No. 1. 2. 3. 4. Botanic Garden Quranic Garden, Sharjah UAE Quranic Garden, Doha Qatar Quranic Garden, University of Peshawar Hadiqa Tul Quran, Jamia Usmania (Gulshani Umar Campus Azakhel) Country UAE Qatar Pakistan Pakistan

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Annex 7 Points for discussion with mixed group of senior officials from AJK. Consisting of the following:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Raja Farooq Niaz Ex Additional Chief Secretary Javed Ayub Director EPA Dr Abdul Karim Qureshi Deputy Director Livestock Dr Adnan Rashid Malik Director Livestock Saeedur Rehman Qureshi UN-DRM Kh Khurshid Ahmad Director Agriculture Abdul shakoor Khan deputy Director Wildlife Abdul Razzaq Chaudhry Director Wildlife and Fisheries Kh. Nazeer Ahmad Conservator Forest

The points that were discussed are given as under: 1. Is the Agriculture Department aware of the loss of pollinators, if yes, what are the reason behind? Do they have the capacity to control the causative factors? 2. Does the Agriculture Department know about the negative impacts of climate change on plant production, and if yes, do they have capacities for adaptations? 3. If no, what capacities do they need? 4. Do we still have the genetic diversity intact in livestock? Does the department have enough capacity to maintain these? If no, what does it need? 5. How much of the forest land is being degraded each year and what are the causes? Have such causes being addressed in the forest working plans and being implemented? 6. What do we need to restore the Forest Biodiversity and Natural Forest Composition? 7. How much of the populations of species, including fishes, have been reduced on average? Does the department has the capacity to manage protected areas, write plans, control hunting, killing of predators etc

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Annex 8

Some of the people who were met during the study (There were many more who were contacted on phone)
Syed Mubarik shah CCF KP Wildlife Department (KPWLD) Syed Safdar Ali Shah, Conservator, Wildlife Director Fisheries Mian Mohammad Shafiq, PFI Dr Khan Bahadur Marwat, VC KP university of Agriculture Raja naeem Ashraf, Director Biodiversity unit Umeed Khalid, Conservator, NCCW-islamabad Dr Abdul wahab, Director ZSD at Islamabad Dr Naseem Expert on fisheries Imtiaz Ahmad, PARC, Islamabad Dr Abdur Rasheed, Chairman, Botany Department/Coordinator, Botanical gardens Secretary Forest, Government of Balochistan Secretary Agriculture, Balochistan Director Plant Protection, Baluchistan Dr Rasool Bux, Chairman, Botant/coordinator Botanical Garden, Balochistan Manzoor Ahmad. EX-CCF Balochistan Yousaf Kakar Ex-CCF Balochistan Taj Mohammad, CCF Balochistan Ghulam Ali baloch, Ex-secretary Forest, Balochistan Shamsul haq Memon, Advisor, Coastal authority, Sindh Munir Awan. Ex-Conservator Wildlife Sindh Saeed Baloch, Conservator Wildlife Sindh Fahmida Firdaus, deputy Conservator wildlife Sind Shah Murad Aliani, CR IUCN Tahie Qureshi, IUCN Karachi Mohammad Rafi IUCN Karachi Directo Karachi Zoo Brig Mukhtar Ahmad, Vice President Emeritus, WWF-Pakistan at Lahore Dr Aminul Haq, Coordinator, botanical Gardens, GC University, Lahore Aziz Aslam Khan, Ex DG, Punjab Parks and Wildlife Dr abdul Aleem Chaudhry, EX, DG and CCF Lahore DG parks and Wildlife

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IUCN- International Union for Conservation of Nature Islamabad Programme Office No. 21, Street 88, G-6/3, Islamabad, Pakistan. Tel +92 51 2271027-34,

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