Sci., Tech. and Dev., 32 (2): 182-196, 2013

BIODIVERSITY OF PIR LASURA NATIONAL PARK, AZAD JAMMU AND KASHMIR, PAKISTAN

MADIHA MANZOOR1, AMJAD RIAZ1, ZAFAR IQBAL2 AND AFSAR MIAN1,3

1Bioresource Research Centre (BRC), Islamabad, Pakistan. 2Hazara University, Mansehra, Pakistan. 3Institute of Natural and Management Sciences (INAM), Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Abstract Pir Lasura National Park (PLNP), located in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (Pakistan), has been declared as a national park in 2005 but it has not been declared as protected national park till date. Present study was planned to assess biodiversity of the region to establish the base line information for future development and conservation of the national park. Rapid biodiversity assessment of the area, carried out in Summer 2010, suggests that the area has 159 of vascular plants, belonging to 83 different families, appearing in different habit forms, viz. tree, shrubs, herbs and grasses and epiphytes. Survey for species confirmed presence of 16 mammals, 119 birds, 24 , 6 amphibians and 15 butterfly species in PLNP. The study suggests that the park area is rich in biodiversity, which needs rapid conservation measures. Soil biota and animal/plant parasite still needs to be worked out. Further detailed studies can add some other rare species into this list. Keywords: Biodiversity, Pir Lasura National Park (PLNP), Flora of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Introduction encourage the participation of the general public Biological diversity means the variation (Miller, 2005). among living organisms from all sources and The key conservation tools are national parks natural ecosystems of which they are a part of; and bioreserves which are used to protect species this includes diversity of ecosystems, diversity and their habitats within the confines of fixed within species and between species (Heywood political boundaries. This inflexibility may be and Watson, 1995). Loss of biodiversity is a their “Achilles’ heel” as conservation tools in the major concern among conservation scientists but face of emerging global-scale environmental the motivation to change this trend is generally problems such as climate change. Global climate lacking. Approximately, half of the world's change threatens to change the geographic population lives in urban areas and is increasingly distribution of many habitats and their component disconnected from nature, which is one reason species, which is due to rising levels of why the people have no concern for nature. If greenhouse gases. With these climatic changes, there is a great public support for the conservation there comes great uncertainty about the future of biodiversity, the places where people live and ability of protected areas and parks to meet their work should be designed so as to provide conservation mandates (Burns et al., 2003). opportunities for meaningful interactions with the System of National Parks plays a vital role in the natural world. Doing so has the potential not only biodiversity preservation through the protection to engender support for protecting native species of ecosystems and endangered species. It also but also to enhance human well-being. plays a role as reservoirs of and plants Accomplishing these goals will necessitate that can repopulate lands where species have been conservation scientists to forge new extinct (Cathcart, 2000). collaborations with design professionals, health Monitoring and inventory of National Park practitioners and social scientists, as well as resources is important to get information needed

*Author for correspondence E-mail: [email protected] BIODIVERSITY OF PIR LASURA NATIONAL PARK (PLNP), AZAD JAMMU AND KASHMIR, PAKISTAN 183 by the park management to maintain ecosystem values on biodiversity and its ecosystem services integrity in the park that contains important will bring biodiversity into a common currency natural resources. The evaluation of several for use in decision-making, allowing its benefits native and exotic forest trees impacts on the to be directly compared with other development natural native flora would help in the selection of trajectories (Christie et al., 2008). There are most suitable species that would raise biological approximately 1.4 million species on earth, diversity and not cause great threat to natural including 41,000 vertebrates, 360,000 plants, flora, if they escaped and naturalised outside the including, microorganisms and 750,000 insects forests (El-Khouly and Al-Dawood, 2006). that are estimated by scientists (Willson, 1988). Climate change, habitat conversion by buildings In the developing countries, biodiversity and roads construction, unsustainable use of provides food, raw materials for clothing, shelter, resources, system impoverishment (e.g. air fuel, fertilisers, medicine and harnessable energy pollution, encroachment) and isolation as a result in the form of draft animals. The poor people of increasingly intense land use along their from rural areas depend on natural resources for borders are major threat for the protected areas in about 90% of their requirements. Access to many parts of the world (Carey et al., 2000; diverse biological resources is necessary in order Hansen and DeFries, 2007). to support a vast array of industrial activities in Protected areas themselves are not immune to the industrialised countries. For the plant and the direct and indirect consequences of animal breeding, biological resources provide raw environmental change. Most of the impacts of the material. Out of 360,000 plant species on the pressures on ecosystem services are experienced earth, about 80,000 have been found to be edible, outside of protected areas. To monitor the threats of which about 7,000 have been used by man as to biodiversity and status of biodiversity in food. However, 150 plant species are currently protected areas is thus becoming increasingly grown on a large scale. 95% of food comes from important (McGeoch et al., 2011). Human beings thirty plant species (Menini, 1998). Pakistan has depend upon components of biological diversity done some work to protect its biological for all of its food requirements, much of medicine resources for more immediate functional benefits and industrial products (Newmark, 2002). Natural as well as for future generations. Federal and resources or biodiversity provide variety of goods Provincial authorities have made important and services that has key importance to human attempts to protect natural asset and biological beings for well-being, health, survival and diversity. A network of national parks, game livelihoods (Costanza et al., 1997; Daily, 1997). reserves and wildlife sanctuaries have been The people of developing countries have the established which cover an area of about nine greatest immediate dependency on natural million hectares of land (Knudsen, 1999). resources, such as, direct dependence on natural Objectives resources for fuel, food, natural medicines and The main objectives of this study were to building material. However, much of the natural assess biodiversity by surviving plants and animal resources of the world are located in under- species of PLNP area and to assess traditional developed countries (Fazey et al., 2005) and these knowledge regarding present exploitation of resources are under the greatest threat from biotic resources. human driven pressures of over exploitation from both developed and under-developed countries Material and Methods due to economic growth, population growth and General Surveillance climate change (WWF, 2006). Demarcation of Points using digitised GPS It is therefore important to understand the role data of biodiversity to secure the livelihoods and well- A general initial surveillance of ground being of people in poor countries. Economic realities of PLNP area was undertaken. General valuation of biological diversity is important landscape of potential area was recorded and since it provides a useful vehicle to highlight and possible stakeholders known. Information on quantify the range of benefits delivered by tenure and rights of adjacent land was collected biodiversity. Importantly, placing monetary and human settlements in and around the PLNP 184 MADIHA MANZOOR ET AL. area were marked. Available information on Transect data was suitably pooled to develop expected biota was collected through literature the estimates on vegetative cover occupied by search and those available with field staff of the different plant species and total vegetative cover Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the of stands. Stand data was subjected to computer Forest Department. Vision developed through based ordination (TWINSPAN) to develop such surveillance was shared with the Department vegetation types, based upon the stand similarities of Wildlife and Fisheries. The further movement in the vegetative composition. Distribution of forward was directed under such a vision. different phyto-sociological communities was Resource Survey placed on the digitised map of PLNR, taking the help of satellite imagery. A quick physical survey of PLNP area alongwith its associated tracts was undertaken Possible use of plant species by the local through Rapid Biodiversity Assessment (RBA) community was determined through information and socio-economic sampling of human gathered from local human communities and population living in and around PLNP. literature search. Plant resources Animal Resources General tract of PLNP was physically visited General Survey Method to sample all possible phyto-diversity. Attempts Animal biodiversity (mammals, birds, reptiles were made to collect/record all the plant species and amphibians) was studied through a general present under different microhabitat variation. survey and search of all possible microhabitats Using such data, a list of the plant species in available in PLNR for the direct/indirect presence PLNP area was developed. of different species. Indirect evidence, like, foot Phyto-sociological studies prints, walking trails, calls, faecal pellets, live burrows, etc., of presence of human shy/nocturnal Phyto-sociological studies were undertaken species were collected by walking through through unbiased-stage sampling, in an attempt to different tracts, using generally used walk tracks. sample all possible microhabitats. For this Camera traps were set at appropriate places for purpose, broad areas having reasonably similar collecting additional information on the human vegetative conditions were identified, using shy/nocturnal animal species. Data thus collected satellite imagery and physical reconnaissance of was compiled to develop an estimate on relative the area and were recognised as stands for abundance of different species. sampling of vegetation. Each stand was given a reference number and sampled using different Data Collection from Local Community numbers of 50m long line transects at randomly A number of residents of the area, living in selected locations in different parts of the stand. and around PLNR area were contacted with a set Length of transect line touching or supposed to be of coloured photographs of prospective animal touching a plant was recorded with name of plant species to collect their information on recent species. Different vegetative layers (herbs, sighting of animals. Set of photographs of shrubs, trees and epiphytes) were subjected to animals, used for such data collection, also separate transect samplings. contained photograph of species, which were not Taxonomic identification of plants expected at all for the area. These photographs were maintained as a test to experience and vision Taxonomic identification of plants was of the informant in animal identification. carried out in the field. Specimens of all plants Responses of informants persisting on presence of species were collected, pressed with a plant press such test species in area were excluded from the using absorbent paper and brought back to the final analysis, believing that their information on laboratory. Each of preserved specimens was animal identification was not reliable. identified in the laboratory, following Flora of Information thus collected was compiled to work Pakistan and through physical comparison with out relative abundance of the species, depending the identified specimen available at Herbaria of upon total frequencies of reported sightings. This Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad and Pakistan information was adjusted with those collected Museum of Natural History (PMNH), Islamabad. through a physical survey to develop reasonable

BIODIVERSITY OF PIR LASURA NATIONAL PARK (PLNP), AZAD JAMMU AND KASHMIR, PAKISTAN 185 approximation on abundance and distribution of Association analysis of vegetative cover different animal species. occupied by different plant species in different Known information on food and feeding, stands, using Ward’s (as a linkage method) and habitat distribution and residential status of each Euclidian methods (as a measure of distance) has animal species were collected through literature identified 4 main vegetative types, based upon search and used in development of generalisations Ward’s similarity index, occupying different parts on species distribution and their existing status in of PLNP. Pinus roxburgii, Pyruspashia, PLNR. Glochidion velutinum, (trees), Carrissa opaca, Justicia adhatoda L. and Berberis lyceum Results (shrubs) are present in all vegetative types, Plant resources contributing different vegetative covers. Plant species diversity There is a remarkable variation in vegetative The survey, carried out during June-July, cover available in different parts of PLNP 2009, revealed a minimum 159 species of the vegetative types, ranging between 0.2% and vascular plants, distributed in different parts of 39.7%, which can be regarded as low. Three well PLNP. This number of plant taxa reported in the defined layers are present, yet there is a variation present list is expected to increase with more in the size of different layers. Tree layer provides detail for future sampling, carried out in different an open canopy, sharing the major part of parts of the year. Present sampling was vegetation cover. The cover provided by herbs undertaken during summer and, hence, may not and grasses may increase during the Spring and include monsoon ephemerals. No previous report after the Summer monsoon and in patches, not on plant diversity of PLNP is available. The supporting the growth of trees. present list includes 48 species of trees, 38 A. Pinus Wallichiana: The vegetation type shrubs, 61 herbs, 7 grasses, 1 epiphyte and 4 represents an association of 34 species (trees, 15; ferns. There are 2 species of gymnosperms, which shrubs, 9; herbs, 6; grass, 2 and ferns 2) with a are widely distributed on all mountain slopes and very open tree canopy layer (13%) and a relative are most frequently exploited for timber. Other 46 higher cover provided by shrubs (7%) and herbs tree species are angiosperms, which appear in (8%). None of the species provides dominant selected patches of favourable habitat, mostly cover yet Pinus wallichiana is more prominent associated with human settlements and and is associated with scattered plants of Pinus agricultural fields. roxburgii, Ulmus villosa, Carrissa opaca and Phytosociological analysis Otostegia limbata. The vegetative type is present Available data on distribution of plant species in 28% of the stands. in different stands suggests that 96 species have B. Pinus roxburgii – Berberis lycium: This appeared in transect sampling. The rest of 63 taxa vegetation type represents an association of 39 did not appear in such sampling, probably having species, appearing in 42% of transects and is very rare distribution in certain very specific present in four patches. Trees provide 22% cover micro-habitat conditions. None of the species (highest cover) in such stands. The stands in this could be placed in constancy class V, having vegetation type have vegetative cover of around presence in 70% of the sampled transects. Only 32%, mainly contributed by trees (68%). The two species, viz., a tree (Pinus roxburgii, association is shared between 12 species of trees, constancy of appearance = 76.7%), and an herb 15 shrubs, 2 grasses and 4 ferns. P. roxburgii and (Berberis lyceium, constancy 71.7 %) could be Quercusincana have dominant contribution. placed in constancy class IV indicating their C. Pinus roxburgii – Glochidion velutinum: wider distribution. One shrub (Rubussanctus, Eight stands (8% of sample stands) with a 43.3%) appeared in constancy class III. Two vegetative cover (around 54%) represent this trees, 3 shrubs, one grass and one epiphytes vegetative type. This vegetation type represents appear in constancy class II (constancy = 21- an association of 6 species, which is shared 40%). All other species (trees = 26; shrubs = 18; between 6 species of trees (P. roxburgii, herbs = 34; grasses = 3; ferns = 5) were placed in Glochidion velutinum, 6% being more prominent) class I (< 20%; 14 with constancy < 10%). 4 shrubs, 4 herbs, 1 fern and 1 epiphyte. No 186 MADIHA MANZOOR ET AL. species of grass were recorded under present of 16 mammal species, including, fulvous fruit sampling. bat, Indian false vampire, Himalayan pipistrelle, golden jackal, red fox, Himalayan rhesus, panther D. Pinus roxburgii: The stands having vegetation cover of around 38% are widely represented by or leopard, barking deer or muntjak, giant red 16% of the transect studies in PLNP area. This flying squirrel and small Kashmiri flying squirrel. vegetation type represented an association of 23 Himalayan Pipistrelle is data deficient and species with an average vegetation cover of some panther or leopard which near threatened. Bird 38%. The association is shared between the 8 fauna comprises of 106 species. Majority of these species of trees (P. roxburgii share major cover of has been internationally regarded as least 28%), 8 shrubs (Carrissa opaca 4% dominant), 6 concerned. Egyptian vulture, Western Horn herbs and 1 fern. Tragopan or Western Tragopan, Cheer pheasant, European Roller or Kashmiri Roller and Tytlers Animal Resources Slender Billed Leaf Warbler are critically General endangered. Some of these may breed in the No specific study is available for the area PLNP under protection. A total number of species under PLNP or even for the general Pir Lasura of reptiles recorded in PLNP during the study was tract. The specific reference to the presence or 24 reptiles. There are 10 species of snakes; 2 of distribution of different animal species is also these are poisonous to man. The other 8 species lacking even in books. Reviews appear on general are non-poisonous. PLNP also holds several distributional notes on different species. species of . The amphibian diversity of Mammals PLNP is represented by 6 species of toads. The A total of 16 species of mammals have been present survey of Pir Lasura could indentify 19 identified from the area. Giant red flying squirrel butterfly taxa. inhabits tracts which have denser forested Yellow-throated marten, small Kashmiri vegetation and is nocturnal, requiring tree holes flying squirrel and common leopard provided or snags for daytime roosting and feeding during frequent sightings (21% - 30%). Rhesus monkey night. Himalayan pipistrelle, Indian false is very common and has adapted to exploit human vampire, Gilgit tube nose bat, stoat or ermine, habitation, appearing near human settlements, barking deer and fulvous fruit bat presented very hence presenting higher sightings (57%). House low sightings (10% – 20%). mouse presented 34% of sightings. House rat and field mouse can be regarded as frequent; they also Discussion have an association with human settlements. Red Gazette notification places 2,916 acres 2 fox presented the status of least concern. It is a (11.8km ) comprising of forest compartments very social animal and found near human 13.15, 30,45a and 45b of District Kotli, under settlements, especially, in the areas adjacent to PLNP. Compartments 30,45a and 45b constitute open countryside. Golden jackal also presented one unit. Compartments 13 and 15 are small high sightings (41%-45%). isolated units located away from main unit. Notification does not mention GPS coordinates Birds for the purpose of defining the area, as required Depending upon information available with under Wildlife Act. the local wildlife enthusiasts, wildlife/forest staff Under the heterogeneity of the habitat, PLNP and the studies carried out during June – July area has high plant diversity with a minimum of 2010 (Plate 8), 119 bird species exploit PLNP 159 plants (48 trees, including eleven area (Table 1). The avian diversity of PLNP is gymnosperms; 38 shrubs; 1 epiphyte; 61 herbs; 7 lower than that present in Banjosa Game Reserve grasses; and 4 ferns species). Dominant (302), Tolipir National Park (211) and Dhirkot vegetation includes P. wallichiana, P. roxburgii, Nature Reserve (131), which may be attributed to Berberis lyceum, Glochidiun velutinum, etc. The lower habitat diversity and general vegetative rapid biodiversity appraisal suggests the presence mass of PLNP.

BIODIVERSITY OF PIR LASURA NATIONAL PARK (PLNP), AZAD JAMMU AND KASHMIR, PAKISTAN 187 Table 1. List of mammalian species recorded from BNR and its adjacent areas. Status Breeding Local Global S No. Names Food Remarks season sightings * (%) 1. Apodemus rusiges Mainly herbivorous but Spring- till Confined to 55 LC Himalayan wood or can eat all kinds of seeds, late summer woodlands and field mouse berries, wild fruits, insect Litter size: highly larvae, crustacean, 4-5 adaptable toadstool ecologically. Nocturnally active, quite gregarious. 2. Bandicota bengalensis Rice, succulent shoots, grain Throughout Needs damp 20 LC Indian mole rat or heads when at soft and year soil for lesser bandicoot rat milky stage, succulent roots Litter size: burrowing and of dab grass (Eragrostis 5-10 favors cynosurioides), roots and embankments tubers of Dher (Scirpus around rice maritimus), seeds of cultivation. sorghum, millet crops Prolific, (Pennissetium typhoides) nocturnal. fruits of egg plant (Solanum melongena), Ochra (Hibiscus esculentus), Salsola foetida and fiddler crabs 3. Canis aureus Feeds on Zizphus, Chitinous March Very adaptable 35 LC Golden Jackal Pieces of dung Beetles Litter size: animal, readily (Helicopris bucephalus), 4-5 entering Scorpions (Palaenmneus mountainous species), Beetles (Anthia areas, forest sexguttata), Desert Jirds plantations and (Meriones Hurrianae), riverine small Mongoose (Herpestes thickets. auropunctatus), lizards, Adapted to dry snakes, birds, grass, chital, open country, nilghai, frogs, rodent and avoids ghost crabs, crane – fly extensive larvae (Tipulidae spp.), natural forest. Gerbils, Date Palm Jaman (Syzygium cummizizyphus jujube), Mulberries (Morus alba) & fruit of Pipal tree (Ficusreligiosa). 4. Crocidura pullata Various species of March- Associated with 6 DD Asiatic white toothed arthropods, wood lice and October moist temperate shrew beetles. Liter size: 3-7 forest. Or banks of streams in dry and open hillsides, Inquisitive, voracious, aggressive

188 MADIHA MANZOOR ET AL.

5. Hipposideros fulvus Mosquitoes, moths, small Colony size: Adapted to arid- 48 LC Trident leaf nosed bat beetles. 10-20 region, eclectic individuals in choice of diurnal roost, gregarious, roosting in colonies, slow and fluttering flight. 6. Hyperacrius wynnei Dead grass and vegetation Summer Found at 1850 2 LC Murree or wynne’s on surface, roots and Litter size 2- m, associated vole underground stems, Large 3 with Himalayan and tall Ragwort (Senecio moist temperate chrysanthemoides) Large forest, highly leave forest plant, fossorial, Doronicum roylei saplings colonial in and deciduous fruit trees habitat. potato tubers 7. Hystrix indica Plants, fruits, grains and Litter size: 4 More plentiful 37 LC Indian crested roots in areas with porcupine broken rocky hillsides, less common in alluvial plains, strictly nocturnal. 8. Lepus capensis Grasses, leaves of shrubby Early April- Associated with 15 LC Cape Hare plants like dwarf Salix, Early May semi-arid Potentilla. Bulbs as Litter size: 2 mountain Eremerus spp. and Allium steppe regions, spp. non social, largely crepuscular in activity, lives in distinct defined territories. 9. Macaca mulatta Feeds on grasses and forbs, September- Confined to 38 LC Himalayan rhesus young shoots, leaf buds of November mountainous monkey ash trees (Fraxinus Band size:1-2 regions having excelsior) & Black poplars forest cover, (Populus ciliata), fruits, ripe associated with berries of Ill scented Himalayan Viburnum (Viburnum moist temperate nervosum),Wild forest. Strawberries (Fragaria Gregarious, vesca), Yew Trees (Taxus much bolder Baccata), seeds of Chilgoza and aggressive. Pine (Pinus gerardiana), ants eggs, Clover Rhizomes, flowers of viburnum, cicadas and Carrots, insects larvae and crustaceans. 10. Martes flavigula Partly frugivorous and Spring – Forest 11 LC Yellow throated insectivorous, kill and eat early dwelling martin (white any bird or mammal which summer species, highly

BIODIVERSITY OF PIR LASURA NATIONAL PARK (PLNP), AZAD JAMMU AND KASHMIR, PAKISTAN 189 cheeked martin) they over come, Sheath- Litter size: 5 adaptable, tailed Bats (Taphozous lives a solitary sp.), Cicadas, Ripe apricot life. (Prunus armeniaca) Honey, Larvae of wild bees, ripe berries, Flying Squirrel, Young deer. 11. Megaderma lyra Carnivorous diet November Not highly 5 LC Indian false vampire predominated insects to April gregarious, (orthoptera, coleoptera, Colony size: shy, very alert, hymenoptera, acrididae), 15-20 roosts found in Birds, lizards individuals dark places in (Hemidactylus flaviviridis), caves. Feeds moths, bats (Rhinopoma on large microphyllum, Rhinopoma vertebrates, hardwickii and Taphozous swift flight. perforatus), Frogs & rats (Rattus rattus). 12. Muntiacus muntjak Grasses, ripe fallen fruits Not specific Confined to 2 LC Barking Deer of wild fig (Ficus spp.), Fawn No. 1 Himalayan fleshy flowers of silk foothills, not cotton (Bombax gregarious/social, malabaricum), ber fruit (Z. lead solitary mauritiana), leaves of existence, and bushes, flowers, hen’s shy, secretive, eggs. nocturnal in feeding activity. 13. Murina tubinaris ………….. Late May- Not colonial in 4 LC Gilgit tubed-nose bat early June its diurnal Colony size: roosts, roost 1-2 singly in abandoned tree holes, have slow and controlled flight. 14. Mus musculus Omnivorous in feeding Almost every Found in 40 LC House mouse habits, seeds, vegetable month crevices of matter, insects, all kinds of Litters size: under walls, of human food (cooked rice, 12 buildings, meat soap and leather) villages, cities. even on human faeces in Nocturnal and villages. omnivorous 15. Mustela erminea Voles (Alticola roylei), Summer Exclusively 23 LC Stoat or ermine Hyperacrius fertilis, Liter size:5-10 carnivorous, Royle’s Pika (Ochotona Solitary in roylei), Birds eggs and hunting occupies Insects. burrows, absent from forested country. 16. Nesokia indica Dab grass (Eragrostis July- April Penetrated into 21 LC Short tailed mole rat cynosurioides), Litter size: 8 mountainous Subterranean rhizomes and areas around roots, green leaves, seeds, streams. sedge grass. Requires damp soil for 190 MADIHA MANZOOR ET AL.

burrowing, and succulent grass roots or bulbs. 17. Paguma larvata Domestic poultry, birds, No data Mountain 12 LC Palm Civet rodents, fruits, birds, Litter size: 3 species rodents, potatoes, associated with chapattis, butter. tropical pone zone, occurs in relatively tree less region, arboreal species, nocturnal in foraging. 18. Panthera pardus Snakes, Lizards, small Not specific, It is confined to 10 NT Panther rodent, female and sub adult throughout Himalayan Sindh Ibex and Markhor, the year. forest region, up Urial, Rhesus monkey, Liter size: 2-5 to limit of tree domestic dogs, domestic line or lower Live stocks, adult cow, altitude, wary calves, donkeys, ponies, and intelligent goats, sheep and porcupines. animal. 19. Petaurista petaurista Young green leaves, fir, March-early Confined to 38 LC Giant red flying Pine twigs, Tree buds, august. the forest squirrel Acorn of Hill oak (Quercus Litter size: 2 areas, mainly dilatata), Horse chestnut in Himalayan (Aesculus indica), Walnuts moist (Juglans regia) insects, temperate eggs of wild birds. Peanuts. forest. Strictly nocturnal. 20. Pipistrellus babu ……….. Summer Slow flight 8 DD Himalayan pipistrelle breeder pattern, roosts Colony size: in dark in caves. 100 21. Rattus rattus Practically omnivorous in Almost Largely 36 LC Roof rat or house rat food habits, heavily depend every month commansal of on food grains, garbage, Litter size: man, and green vegetable food, 6-7 associated with seeds, grains, fruits, meat, villages and insects, wheat, coconuts, human even leather and candle habitation. wax. Intelligent, bold, omnivorous 22. Rattus turkestanicus Omnivorous in food habits, Almost Adapted to 39 LC Turkestan rat Maize, walnuts, chapattis every month forests and rocky (Unleavened wheat bread) Litter size: mountain sides. and even soap. 4-6 Intelligent, bold, resourceful, omnivorous 23. Suncus etruscus Arthropods, wood lice and August-Oct Unobtrusive, 33 LC Pygmy Shrew beetles. Liter size 2 commensally life style 24. Sorex minutes Arthropods, wood lice and August-Oct Unobtrusive, 25 LC thibetanus Asiatic beetles. Liter size 4-6 commensally Pygmy Shrew life style

BIODIVERSITY OF PIR LASURA NATIONAL PARK (PLNP), AZAD JAMMU AND KASHMIR, PAKISTAN 191

25. Ursus thibetanus Acorns from Holly oak March-April Widely 12 VU Asiatic Black Bear (Quercus balut, Quercus Liters size: distributed dilatata), mulberries 1-2 mammal, (Morus alba) Apricot occupying (Prunus armeniaca), wide variety of Rosehips (Rosa webbiana), habitat, and Carion, Goat, sheep, small not nocturnal, crustacean (Arthropods, acute sense of etc.), Fungus or forest smell. mushrooms, maize, grass, ber (Zizyphus nummularia), Russian olive (Eleagnus hortensis), Lizards, all kinds of orthopterous insects including locusts, Rhizomatous stems, Sorghum (Sorghum suanense) and Ripe dates (Phoenis dactylifera). 26. Hylopetes fimbriatus Acorns of evergreen Holly Summer Confined to 21 A Small Kashmir flying Oak (Quercus ilex), seeds of Litter size:2-3 Himalayan squirrel young fir cones those of moist Silver fir as well (Abies temperate pindrow), immature cones forest, having of Blue Pine (Pinus mixture of wallichiana), young shoots deciduous and and buds of Silver fir (Abies coniferous pindrow), leaves of other species. deciduous species, ripe Strictly melons and their seeds, nocturnal sometimes insects as well. 27. Vulpes vulpes Adaptable hunters. Feed Late winter- Inhabits 18 LC griffithi Kashmir or mostly on hares, rodents, early spring temperate hill fox reptiles and occasionally Litter size: regions in the small birds. In absence of 4-6 mountains. vertebrate prey they may Largely subsist on insects and fruit. nocturnal but Marmots may form major may be seen portion of their diet in hunting by day summer. Besides, domestic in desert areas. stock and field mice are Normally live also optional sources of singly and not food. social in hunting habits. * 2008 IUCN Red List Category (http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/) Abbreviations: * Common = C, Fairly Common = FC, Very Common = VC, Uncommon = UC, Vagrant =Vg, Rare= R, LC = Least Concern, NT = Near Threatened, V = Vulnerable, E = Endangered, CE = Critically Endangered

192 MADIHA MANZOOR ET AL.

On a global level, most of the bird taxa found PLNP also holds several species of lizards in PLNP hold a least concerned status, except for which include agrorewadikirla (27%), rohtasreg- Egyptian vulture (endangered), Western Horn sang chapkali (34%), common mole skink (42%), Tragopan or Western Tragopan, Cheer Pheasant spectacled lacerta (41%), striped grass skink (vulnerable), European Roller or Kashmiri Roller (40%), spotted garden skink (34%), Bengal and Tytler’s Slender Billed Warbler (nearly monitor (38%), Indo-Pak desert monitor (30%) threatened). Thus, the major parts of the avifauna and plump banded (29%). These species is of little global conservation value yet the area present frequent sightings. holds a place in continued maintenance of these Amphibians species, providing breeding refuge for many of The amphibian diversity of PLNP is these. The recorded sightings of the species represented by 6 species of toads (Table 2). Ant having international value indicate very low frog and bull frog provided rare sightings (6%) population of these species in PLNP. Further while other four, i.e., Indus valley toad, Hazara studies would be required on the population status toad, Kashmiri nadi maindak and Southeast Asian of these species in the national park area and their toad are frequent (40% – 47%). Kashmiri nadi specific dispersion. maindak is considered data deficient (DD) by Reptiles IUCN but is frequent (47% sightings) in PLNP. Table 3 shows a total number of species of However, all the amphibian species recorded reptiles recorded in PLNP during the study was from PLNP have been ascribed a common status 24 reptiles, having distribution under different as per their international population distribution habitat conditions. Moonji Kachwa (Lissemys levels and hence are not of immediate punctata andersoni) presented average sightings conservation concerns for international (24%) and lived in muddy ditches, lakes marshes, community. ponds and streams. The species is regarded as low The amphibian diversity is higher at PLNP as risk and least concerned on international level. compared with Tolipir National Park or Banjosa There are 10 species of snakes; 2 of these are Game Reserve, each having three species. Hazara poisonous to man. Northwestern Punjab krait Toad and Kashmiri nadi maindak are shared (Bungarussindanus razai) and common krait between these protected areas. Higher (Bungaruscaeruleus caeruleus) both have temperature at PLNP, ascribed to its location at moderate sightings (18% to 33%) and are near lower altitude probably provides better survival endangered species demanding conservation. The conditions for these amphibians. other 8 species are non-poisonous, which include Butterflies Kashmiri patlakainchwasaamp sighting on local The present survey of Pir Lasura could region (33%), slender blind snake (36%), indentify 19 butterfly taxa (Table 4). The Kashmiri kolubersaanp (34%), black rock agama butterfly diversity was lower in PLNP as (42%), common sand boa (35%), striped keelback compared with other protected areas, Dhirkot (26%), banded kukri snake (17%), streaked kukri Nature Reserve (17), Banjosa Game Reserve (17) snake (14%) and checkered keelback (15%) and Tolipir National Park (20). provided the least sightings.

Table 2: List of species recorded from BNR and its adjacent areas. Status Breeding Local Globa S No. Names Habitat Food Remarks season sightings l* (%) 1. Indogekko rohtasfortai Crevices Feeds on May to June. Distributed in 31 LC Rohtasreg-sang among rocks, photophilic Pair of oblong south eastern chapkali holes and insects. eggs glued to AJK, under rocks. the sides of nocturnal. crevices.

BIODIVERSITY OF PIR LASURA NATIONAL PARK (PLNP), AZAD JAMMU AND KASHMIR, PAKISTAN 193

2. Laudakia melanura Rock insects Late March- Lives in rocks 4 DD melanura, Black rock crevices. May. of moderate agama 10-15 eggs elevations

3. Laudakia tuberculata Rock blocks Herbivorous, April- June, 6- predominantly 56 LRLC Neela kirla at elevation feeds on 9 hard shelled herbivorous of 1500- arthropods, eggs laid under 2500m. leaves and rocks in more flowers than 1 clutch.

4. Typhlops ductuliformes Rocky pine - - - 21 DD Slender blind snake country side with lush green grasses

5. Laudakia agrorensis, Crevices Insects and Clutch size Lives in 41 NT Agrorewadikirla among rock caterpillars. varies from 6- crevices blocks. 8 eggs. among rock blocks.

6. Lissemys punctata Muddy Adult frogs, May-June. Inhabits wide 13 LRLC andersoni ditches, lakes, tadpoles, Eggs lain in variations of Moonji kunchwa marshes, fishes, summer. environment vegetation, crustaceans, Clutch size and habitats, salt, rivers, fish larvae, varies from 6- hibernates in ponds, carrion, 14 eggs. winter streams, rice water plants, fields bivalve mollusks and snails.

7. Eurylepis taeniolatus Loose sandy Different March to Almost 29 DD taeniolatus soil, loamy kinds of may.4-8 oval deserticolous Common mole skink with scrubby arthropods eggs with habitat. Maidanireg-mahi vegetation, and worms. pliable shells mostly close is laid under to water stones. courses.

8. Naja oxiana Dry Rodents, - Inhabits dry 35 NT Brown cobra wasteland, birds, wastelands, Bhooranaag lives in holes snakes, lives in holes and crevices and and crevices in in uneven mice. unleveled ground, ground. carrions and Carnivores. holes in rocks.

* 2008 IUCN Red List Category (http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/) Lower Risk-least concern*** = LRLC, Least Concern = LC, Critically Endangered= CE, Data Deficient = DD, Not evaluated = NE

194 MADIHA MANZOOR ET AL.

Table 3. List of amphibian species recorded from BNR and its adjacent areas Status S No. Names Habitat Food Breeding season Remarks Local Global* sightings (%) 1. Bufo melanostictus Under streams, Photophilic Monsoon rains Inhabits low 40 LC hazarensis, logs, piles of insects. July-August. northern hilly Hazara toad vegetation in Eggs lain in deep ranges, crevices quieter water nocturnal, among stones. where the eggs lethargic string is timid animal entangled in the vegetation. Eggs enclosed in the double gelatinous capsules. 2. Bufo stomaticus Holes, walls, Insects and Monsoon rains Occurs at 44 LC Maidanigauk stones, worms, in July August, varying inhabits photophilic eggs lain in climatic houses arthropods double conditions, and gelatinous nocturnal. houseflies. string. 3. Paa barmoachensis, In rocks and in Worms Twice a year. Torrenticolous 38 DD Kashmiri nadi the depth of and Pre-monsoon sits on exposed maindak clear pools of insects. activity during side rocks. water. April May and then with a break in July and August. *2008 IUCN Red List Category (http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/) Least Concern = LC, Data Deficient = DD

Table 4. List of butterflies species recorded from TNR and associated tracts Status Local Local S No. Names Remarks sightings Status (#) 1. Pieris brassicae Female lays 20-100 yellow eggs on plants of cabbage family, a 30 A Large white pest on food crops, preference for cultivated Brassica oleracea. 2. Junonia orithya Occurs in open areas, often sitting on bare ground, has a stiff 27 A Blue pansy flap and glide style of flight, maintains territory, larva parasitize Acanthaceae, Annonaceae, Convolvulaceae, Labiatae, Plantaginaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Verbenaceaeand Violaceae. 3. Pieris canidia Common, very variable, occurs all the year around, at up to 8 C Pieris spp. 12,000 feet. 4. Pontia daplidice In open grassy or flowery place. Typically around bare ground 14 A Bath white with the food plant Reseda sp. (e.g. Weld, Mignonette). Also takes various Brassicaceae (Cabbages). Flies from the beginning of spring, until late summer. A very strong flier. Usually seen flying very rapidly and directly across usually dry places with grass or stones. Can be found warming up on rocks in the sun when close approach is easiest.

BIODIVERSITY OF PIR LASURA NATIONAL PARK (PLNP), AZAD JAMMU AND KASHMIR, PAKISTAN 195 5. Pieris rapae Upper side creamy white with black tips to the forewings. 22 A Small white Females also have two black spots in the center of the forewings. Under wings yellowish with black speckles. Sometimes mistaken for a moth due to its plain-looking appearance. 6. Papilio Has an orange "forked gland", called the osmeterium. When in 19 A philoxenus danger, it looks like a snake's tongue, averts and releases a foul Black smell to repel predator. swallowtail 7. Eurema hecabe Found flying close to ground is found in open grass and scrub 34 A Common grass habitats, parasitized by multiple strains of Wolbachia which yellow alter the sex-ratio. Eggs laid on Abrus precatorius, Acacia spp., Aeschynomene spp., Albizzia spp. and numerous other Leguminosae, Euphorbiaceae and Cucurbitaceae species. 8. Danaus genutia Occurs in scrub jungles, fallow land adjacent to habitation, dry 28 A Common tiger and moist deciduous forests, preferring areas of moderate to heavy rainfall. Also in degraded hill slopes and ridges, both, bare or denuded. Leathery, tough to kill. Lays its egg singly under the leaves of any of its host plants of family Asclepiadaceae. 9. Papilio demoleus Prominent tail, tolerance and adaptation to diverse habitats, 14 A Lemon butterfly found in savannahs, fallow lands, gardens, evergreen and semi- evergreen forests, swarms in groves of its food plants, stream and riverbeds, female goes hurriedly from plant to plant, lay a single egg at a time on top of a leaf egg round and light yellowish. 10. Gonepteryx Lives up to 13 months, most of this time is spent in 24 A rhamni Brimstone hibernation, much camouflaged looking like leaves, only one Butterfly brood a year. 11. Vanessa cardui Well-known colorful, strange screw of pattern. 15 C Painted Lady 12. Precis almanac ------12 C Precis 13. Colias erate Flies in May-September 10 C Eastern pale clouded yellow butterfly 14. Melanites leda Common species found flying at dusk. Flight erratic. Resident 13 A Common known to fight off visitors to the area during dusk hour. Chase evening brown behavior elicited even by pebbles thrown nearby. caterpillars feed on a wide variety of grasses including rice (Oryza sativa), bamboos, Andropogon, Rotboellia cochinchinensis, Brachiaria mutica, Cynodon, Imperata, and millets such as Oplismenus compositus, Panicum and Eleusineindica. Adults feed mainly on nectar, in rare cases visit rotting fruits. 15. Catopsilia pyranthe Egg to adult in 22-29 days, allowing 11-12 in generation a 40 A Common Migrant year. 16. Neptis hylas A species of nymphalid butterfly. Has a characteristic stiff 13 A Common sailer gliding flight achieved by short and shallow wingbeats just above the horizontal. Has been observed to make sounds whose function has not been established. 17. Lethe rohria Is a species of Satyrine butterfly found in Asia. In Males and 14 A Common tree female’s Upper side vandyke-brown, slightly darker, brown especially in the female, towards apex of fore wing. Abbreviation: A = Abundant, C = Common 196 MADIHA MANZOOR ET AL.

References Fazey, I., J. Fischer and D.B. Lindenmayer. 2005. Burns, C.E., K.M. Johnston, and O.J. Schmitz. Who Does All the Research in Conservation 2003. Global climate change and mammalian Biology? Biodiversity and Conservation, species diversity in U.S. national parks. 14(4):917-934. Proceedings of the national academy of Hansen, A.J. and R. DeFries. 2007. Ecological sciences of the United States of America. mechanisms linking protected areas to 100: 11474–11477. surrounding lands. Ecological Applications, Carey, C., N. Dudley and S. Stolton. 2000, 17, 974–988. Threats to protected areas. Squandering Heywood, V.H. and C. Watson. 1995. Global paradise? The importance and vulnerability of Biodiversity Assessment. UNEP, Cambridge the world’s protected areas, World Wide university press.1135 pp. Fund for Nature International, Gland, Knudsen, A., 1999. Conservation and Switzerland. Controversy in the Karakoram: Khunjerab Cathcart, J.F. 2000. Carbon sequestration: A National Park, Pakistan. Journal of Political working example in Oregon. Journal of Ecology. 56. Forestry. 98: 32-37. McGeoch, M.A., M., Dopolo, P. Novellie, H. Hendriks, S. Freitag, S. Ferreira, R. Grant, J. Christie, M., I. Fazey, R. Cooper, T. Hyde, A. Kruger, H. Bezuidenhout, R.M. Randall, W. Deri, L. Hughes, G. Bush, A. Brander, A. Vermeulen, T. Kraaij, I.A. Russell, M.H. Nahman, W. de Lange and B. Reyers. 2008. Knight, S. Holness and A. Oosthuizen. 2011. An Evaluation of Economic and A strategic framework for biodiversity Noneconomic Techniques for Assessing the monitoring in South African National Parks. Importance of Biodiversity to People in Koedoe. 53(2):1-10. Developing Countries. Menini U.G. 1998. Policy issues for the Costanza, R., R. d'Arge, R. de Groot, S. Farber, conservation and utilization of horticultural M. Grasso, B. Hannon, K. Limburg, S. genetic resources for food and agriculture. Naeem, R.V. O'Neill, , J. Paruelo, R.G. ACTA HORT. 495: 211-232 Raskin, P. Sutton, and M. van den Belt. 1997. Miller, J.R., 2005, Biodiversity conservation and The Value of the World's Ecosystem Services the extinction of experience. Trends in and Natural Capital. Nature. 38:253-260. Ecology and Evolution. 20:430-434. Daily, G.C. (Ed.). 1997. Nature’s Services. Newmark, W.D., 2002. Importance of Societal Dependence on Natural Ecosystems. Biodiversity. Ecological Studies. 155:39-68. El-Khouly, A.A and A.N. Al-Dawood. 2006. Willson, D.S., 1988. Holism and reductionism in Effect of National Parks on Plant Diversity evolutionary ecology. OIKOS 53:269273 Case Study: Sied National Park. The 2nd Washington, D.C. Island Press. International Conf. on Water Resources and WWF. 2006. Living Planet Lindex. Gland: WWF Arid Environment. International.