PROTECTED AREAS INITIATIVE
Presently there are 398 Protected Areasof different categories across the country. It
includes31 National Parks, 92 Wildlife sanctuaries, 97 Game reserves, 160 Community
reserves; 19 Wetlands under Ramsar Convention. The total Protected Area was about 12%
of the total land area of the country before 2018; this has increased to 13% over the past
two years. The overall objective of Protected Areas component under the ‘Ten Billion Tree
Tsunami Programme’ is to improve the overall conservation of the existing Protected Areas;
encourage eco-tourism, community engagement and job creation through the conservation.
Also to improve quality and sustainable management of these areas for improving
conservation and for strengthening biodiversity and ecosystems. The Government further
plans to expand the Protected Areas cover by adding new areas for conservation of natural
flora and fauna.
The Prime Minister would be launching the ‘Protected Areas Initiative’ (PAI) with
overarching objective to strengthen Protected Areas across the country.
Aim of PAI
Expand Protected Areas Network from 13% to 15% by 2023 through quality enhancement
to achieve international standards. The Provincial Governments would be requested to
participate through their finances to ensure greater protection.
Objectives of PAI
The Initiative aims to develop 15 model Protected Areas across country under TBTTP with
overarching Objectives to:
i.
ii.
iii. |
Conserve over 7295.549 Sq km of land area across country (Annex-I).
Develop management plans for sustainability through community engagement.
Quality enhancement of PA’s through; |
a. Development of National Park Service
b. Promotion of eco- tourism with standardized infrastructure
| iv. |
Facilitate conservation; enrichment of biodiversity; create cultural and social capital,
all towards meeting challenges of Climate Change.
Global Recognition through IUCN Green Listing.
Green Stimulus creation of over 5,500 jobs and strong community engagement
through this component alone. |
v.
vi. |
Impact of PAI
The expected impacts of PAI are as under:
? National Park Management Plans
? Infrastructure; boundary demarcation; pathways; watch towers; aligned to habitat
? Safeguarding biodiversity and Ecosystems
? National Parks Service; Green Stimulus; over 5,500 local jobs
? Community engagement & sustainable ownership
? Eco-tourism, with standard architectural designs
Components of PAI
The estimated cost of the PAI is Rs. 3895 Million over the next five years with following
components:
| S.No. |
Major Activities |
| 1. |
Ecotourism |
| 2. |
Green Stimulus / National Parks Service |
| 3. |
Operation and Equipment |
| 4. |
Park Conservation Funds and Community Development |
| 5. |
Management Plan |
Annex-I
Model Protected Areas under Protected Areas Initiative
| S. No. |
National Park/Protected Area |
Province/ Territory |
| 1 |
Sheikh Badin |
KP |
| 2 |
Chiltan-Hazar Ganji |
Balochistan |
| 3 |
Namal Lake Game Reserve, Mianwali |
Punjab |
| 4 |
Pond Area of Baloki Headworks |
Punjab |
| 5 |
Deva Vatala |
AJK |
| 6 |
Khunjerab |
GB |
| 7 |
Margalla Hills |
ICT |
| 8 |
Hunderap Shandoor |
GB |
| 9 |
Astola Marine Protected Area |
Balochistan |
| 10 |
Kheri Murat |
Punjab |
| 11 |
Musk Deer National Park |
AJK-GB |
| 12 |
Nanga Parbat National Park |
GB |
| 13 |
Takkar National Park |
Sindh |
| 14 |
Ara-Basharat National Park |
Punjab |
| 15 |
Salt Range National Park |
Punjab |
