Report on Baseline Studies of Butterflies of Riverine Forest (Kot Dhingano & Kot Lakaat) District Nawabshah Conducted For

Report on Baseline studies of Butterflies of Riverine Forest (Kot Dhingano & Kot Lakaat) District Nawabshah Conducted for

Sustainable Forest Management Project

Submitted by

Dr. Khalid Mahmood FRES Curator, Pakistan Museum of Natural History, Islamabad

Table of Contents

1- Project Introduction ...... 3

2- Abstract ...... 7

3- Introduction ...... 7

4- Materials and Methods ...... 8

5- Results ...... 9

6- Discussions...... 12

7- Conclusion & Recommendation ...... 12

8- Acknowledgments ...... 13

9- References ...... 13

List of Tables

Table 1. List of Butterflies Species Recorded from Ara Forest ...... 9

Table 2. List of Butterflies Species Recorded from Prera Forest...... 10

Table 3. List of Butterflies Species Recorded from Dil Jabba Forest...... 11

Table 4. Different Biodiversity Indices ...... 11

List of Figure

Fig 1. Map Showing the Transacts Routes in the Study Area ...... 14

Photo gallery

Pages 15-18

Project Brief Project Title: Sustainable forest management to secure multiple benefits in Pakistan's high conservation value forestss Duration: Five years (January 2017 to December 2021) Project Areas: i). Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Temperate forest) ii). Sind (Riverine forest) iii. Punjab (Scrub forest and Riverine forest) Project objective: The objective of the proposed project is to promote sustainable forest management in Pakistan's Western Himalayan Temperate coniferous, Sub-tropical broadleaved evergreen thorn (Scrub) and Riverine forests for biodiversity conservation, mitigation of climate change and securing of forest ecosystem services. In particular, it aims at implementation of three inter-related and mutually complementary components that are focussed at addressing the barriers of inadequate planning, regulatory and institutional frameworks to integrated forest resource management, and enhancing the limited experience among key government and civil society stakeholders in developing and implementing SFM practices on the ground.

Project outcomes: Outcome 1: Embedded sustainable forest management into

landscape spatial planning; Component/Outcome 2: Biodiversity conservation strengthened in and around High Value Conservation Forests; and

Component/Outcome 3: Enhanced carbon sequestration in and around HCVF in target forested landscapes Description The objective of the proposed project is to promote sustainable forest management in Pakistan's Western Himalayan Temperate Coniferous, Sub-tropical broadleaved evergreen thorn (Scrub) and

Riverine forests for biodiversity conservation, mitigation of climate change and securing of forest ecosystem services. In particular, it aims at implementation of three inter-related and mutually complementary components that are focussed at addressing the barriers of inadequate planning, regulatory and institutional frameworks to integrated forest resource management, and the limited experience among key government and civil society stakeholders in developing and implementing SFM practices on the ground.

Component 1 will support the incorporation of sustainable forest management objectives and safeguards in forest management planning, forestland allocation and compliance of monitoring systems at the local level. Component 2 will identify, demarcate and implement on-the-ground approaches to improving management of high conservation value forests within seven landscapes covering an area of 67,861 ha with the aim of meeting the life requisites of the target species, and habitats such as breeding areas, feeding areas, water sources, dispersal and connectivity corridors, etc.

Component 3 will develop practical approaches to enhancing carbon sequestration through restoring degraded and former forested areas (LULUCF activities) by a combination of restoration and reforestation of 10,005 ha of degraded conifer forests; 3,400 ha of degraded scrub forests, and reforestation of 13,099 ha of Riverine forests with native species.

The project is funded by GEF and UNDP and implemented by jointly by UNDP Pakistan and Minstry of Climate Change in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sind, and Punjab.

Project Outputs 1.1 Forest resources and ecosystem services inventory and mapping informs forest management planning, implementation and

4 monitoring at the landscape level 1.2 Updated guidelines, planning tools and regulations facilitate harmonization and mainstreaming ecosystem, climate risk mitigation and biodiversity considerations into forest management planning

Output 1.3. Landscape level forest plans integrates considerations of biodiversity, ecosystem services, climate mitigation and community resource use Output 1.4 Stakeholders’ benefits of current unsustainable and sustainable forest practices and status of forest resources assessed Output 1.5 System for effective monitoring and enforcement of forest management plans, including clear delineation of roles and responsibilities of key partners and management of participatory processes informs forest management and development

Output 1.6 Forest resource use conflict management and resolution processes established in multiple use zones

Output 1.7 Capacity building for provincial and district level forest agencies, local communities and other stakeholders, including (i) training workshops and courses (ii) vocational training modules (iii) on-the-ground demonstration and training and (iv) patrolling skills and forest fire controlling training enhances capacity for sustainable land and forest management within key agencies and communities. 1.8 Recommendations for facilitating adoption (institutionalising), scaling up and replication of sustainable forest management practices promoted Output 2.1 Avoided deforestation of High Conservation Value Forests with forest use regime change from unsustainable use to biodiversity conservation and non-exhaustive community forest management instituted

Output 2.2 Community-Managed Conservation Area model of community governance and management system operational

Output 2.3 Biodiversity conservation and capacities in and around high conservation value forests reinforced through training, enhanced enforcement, guidelines and strengthening with community managed conservation forests and involvement of communities in state managed forests

Output 3.1 Restoration of degraded Temperate Conifer forests and Sub-tropical Broadleaved Evergreen Thorny forests with indigenous species, realizing carbon benefits

Output 3.2 Reforestation of degraded Riverine forests with indigenous species, realizing carbon benefits and biodiversity conservation

Output 3.3 Best practice silvicultural approaches to forest restoration and reforestation documented, and capacities enhanced through training and local language guidelines.

Output 3.4 On-the-ground application of Nationally-tailored methodology for measuring carbon stocks (to be developed under a parallel REDD Readiness Preparation Project) applied, demonstrated and validated for the target areas.

Abstract Butterflies are considered as environmental indicator species. They are also sensitive to air and water pollution. The problems like climate disruption and habitat loss, are becoming acute in Pakistan, so there is an urgent need to explore and document the butterflies species before they become extinct and disappear from this planet. Baseline studies of flora and fauna, of wildlife parks, reserve areas, sanctuaries and conservancies are important to make effective conservation strategies. Baseline studies of flora and fauna, of wildlife parks, reserve areas, sanctuaries and conservancies are important to make effective conservation strategies.

Baseline studies of flora and fauna, of wildlife parks, reserve areas, sanctuaries and conservancies are important to make effective conservation strategies. So baseline studies of Kot Dhingano Lakhaat riverine forests and Pai forests were conducted with the objectives to document the butterflies’ fauna and determine their diversity.

During present field work 13 specimens belonging to three species were recorded from Kot Dhingano, 4 specimens belonging to two species were recorded from Lakhaat, 35 specimens recorded from Pai forest (Pai forest was not included among the study sites).

Introduction Butterflies are mainly diurnal (day-flying insects) belonging to order Lepidoptera (sub- order Rhopalocera). Butterflies have large brightly coloured wings and conspicuous fluttering flight. There are more than 20,000 different species of butterflies in the world and 320 species has been recorded from Pakistan.

Butterflies are highly sensitive to habitat degradation and quickly respond to minor changes in their environmental factors (like temperature and humidity) than any other group of animal. Moreover they have more number of generations per year than vertebrate. So by studding the butterflies, the habitat degradation and climate change can be monitored and suitable mitigation measures can be adopted.

Butterflies are on important stage in food chain; their larvae mostly take food from plant leaves and are a source of food for birds, reptiles, amphibians and small mammals. Butterflies

7 also help in pollination of commercially grown crops and wild plants and hence help in increasing the crop yield. Some species are pests as their larvae damage the crops.

Butterflies have Aesthetic sense. Common public and especially school children love beautiful colour pattern on their wings. They follow and try to recognize the butterflies in gardens, national parks and reserve areas. The awareness about the knowledge of butterflies among the public, will help to conserve the different species of butterflies and their habitat (national parks and reserve areas).

Baseline studies of flora and fauna, of wildlife parks, reserve areas, sanctuaries and conservancies are important to make effective conservation strategies. So baseline studies of Riverine Forest (Kot Dhingano & Kot Lakaat) District Nawabshah were conducted with the objectives to document the butterflies’ fauna and determine their diversity.

Materials and Methods Field work was conducted in Kot Dhingano, Lakhaat (Riverine forests) and Pai forest of Nawab Shah district from 10-26 March 2018. Butterflies were collected from the areas using hand nets. The butterflies specimens were temporarily kept in butter papers, brought to laboratory, softened, pinned, preserved. These specimens were identified to species level using different references

Eleven line transact (three from each above mentioned localities) of five hundred yards, were also taken, along the walking tracts. The butterfly's specimens were observed and recorded. The data obtained from two transact from each locality were summed together in one data set from respective locality. Coordinates of starting and ending points of all transact were recorded with a GPS and are shown in the map.

Capacity Building A training of the local staff of forests and wildlife departments was organized in Pai Forest, Sakrand. The participants were given oral presentation on importance of butterflies in the conservation of biodiversity and their role in the ecosystem. The participants of the training were also explained how to collect, preserve, mount and identify the butterflies. Practical training in the field was also given to participants. A message on the importance of forest conservation was conveyed to the local communities, wherever possible.

Results Although it was early season for the collection of butterflies even then following butterflies specimens were collected from different forests

Table 1: Butterfly Species Recorded From Kot Dhingano Forest

S. No. English Name Species No. specimen

1. The Poineer Belenois aurota 0

2. The Small Salmon Colotis amata 0 Nawab 3. The Little Orange Tip Colotis etrida 0

4. The White Arab Colotis vestalis 2

5. The Crimson Tip Colotis danae 0

6. The Plain Tiger Danaus chrysippus 8

7. The large grass yellow Eurema hecabe 3

8. The peacock pansy Junonia almana 0

Table 2: Butterfly Species Recorded From Lakhaat Forest

S. No. English Name Species No. specimen

1. The Poineer Belenois aurota 0

2. The Small Salmon Colotis amata 0

Nawab

3. The Little Orange Tip Colotis etrida 0

4. The White Arab Colotis vestalis 0

5. The Crimson Tip Colotis danae 0

6. The Plain Tiger Danaus chrysippus 2

7. The large grass yellow Eurema hecabe 2 8. The peacock pansy Junonia almana 0

Table 3: Butterfly Species Recorded From Pai Forest

S. No. English Name Species No. specimen

1. The Poineer Belenois aurota 2

2. The Small Salmon Colotis amata 3 Nawab 3. The Little Orange Tip Colotis etrida 8

4. The White Arab Colotis vestalis 8

5. The Crimson Tip Colotis danae 7

6. The Plain Tiger Danaus chrysippus 4

7. The large grass yellow Eurema hecabe 3

8. The peacock pansy Junonia almana 0

Table 4. Different Biodiversity Indices

Biodiversity Indices Kot Dhingano Lakhaat Pai

No. of Taxa / Richness 3 2 7

No. of Specimens / Abundance 13 4 35

Dominance 0.4556 0.5 0.1755

Shannon diversity index 0.9251 0.6931 1.829 Simpson diversity index 0.5444 0.5 0.8245

Discussions It is clear from the results the butterfly diversity was much lower in Kot Dinghano and Lakhaat riverine forests as compared to Pai forest (which is well managed). Only three species have recorded from the Nawabshah Riverine forest, while 35 specimens belonging to seven species were recorded from Pai forest. There could be different reasons for this low level of butterfly diversity, which will be discussed in conclusion section of this report. It is important to note that Lakhaat Riverine forest does not exist on ground at all. Most of the land has be cultivated by land grabbers and some has been cut by the flow of the Indus river. There was some time as training was conducted in Pai forest, so three transacts were also taken from Pai forest although it was not included in study sites.

This is clear from both data sets that there was no much difference between these two so called forests, however the Kot Dinghano forest has more richness, abundance, low dominance and hence more conserved biodiversity of butterflies than in Lakhaat forests. These results indicate although all these forests have the more or less same situation of biodiversity, and apparently not very good. The detailed recommendations are given below.

Conclusions & Recommendations

 The forest included in the study sites were mostly encroached or leased and were cultivated. The forest cover was removed which has resulted in the loss of habitat, wildlife and ultimately biodiversity. To conserve forest and wildlife, the Sindh Forest

Department should not extend the lease period and make necessary arrangements to get back the encroached forests.

 The deforestation (wood extraction) is at much faster rate than natural rejuvenation or afforestation rate. During the survey it was noted that trees were cut and staff of forest department was not moved, perhaps due to socio-political system in the country. The Sindh Forest Department needs to be strengthened their staff for the implementation of the law.

 The habitat in the study area was fragmented (a small patch of forest around big cultivated land), which is unable to support any wildlife especially the mammals.

 In the encroached forest the farmers were practicing mono cropping i.e. growing wheat only, which further reduces the biodiversity.

 All forest included in the study sites were under high grazing pressure. The large herds of livestock including buffalos, cows, goats and sheep not only graze but also live in the forest, which does not make a suitable habitat for wildlife. In order to reinstate the wild life the concept of Biosphere Reserve may be integrated in these reserve forests. The central core zone should be reserved for the conservation of biodiversity, wildlife and research activities. There should be no grazing, wood extraction any other human intrusion at all in this zone. Around this core zone, there should be a buffer zone which should be least disturbed and around this buffer zone there should be transitional zone. In the transition zone the people can get their livelihood from forest on sustainable basis. Build of raised areas to act as refuge for soil dwelling animals in case of flood.

 There was a lot of human intervention in the forests. Presently forests consist of patch of trees surrounded by the encroached cultivated land and land grabbers also have their settlements in encroached land. So this patch of tree is used for pass ways for tractors, allied machinery and motorcycles etc

 The Sindh Forest and Wildlife departments should be strengthened by providing more constitutional rights. If possible the forest area should be fenced; it will protect the biodiversity / ecosystem within the forest.

 The forests were heavily populated and populations settled in the forest are extracting wood and other livelihood from the remaining forests

 Awareness campaign for the conservation of local natural resources or at least their sustainable use should be planned targeting Schools, Colleges, Mosques, Madrasas and some community incentive should given for recognition of conservation efforts.

 Baseline studies should be conducted three to four times to document the insect fauna in the parks especially after monsoon season and early spring season, its help in monitoring the population trends. The protocols/methodologies for monitoring the populations are given in materials and methods section.

Acknowledgements

This study was conducted by the full funding of Sustainable Forest Management project, Ministry of Climate Change, Islamabad. The author is thankful to Mr. Muhammad Ayaz Khan (National Project Manager) & Najam-ul-Huda (Manager, SFM) for providing generous support for these studies. I am also thankful to the local staff of Wildlife and Forest Departments for providing help and logistic support during the field work. My thanks are due to Director General PMNH and team members for their encouragement.

References

Hammer, O., D. A. Harper & P. A. Ryan. 2001. PAST: Paleontological statistics software package for education and data analysis. Palaeontologica Elecronica. 4:1-9.

Hasan, S.A. 1994. Butterflies of Islamabad & the Murree hills. Asian Study Group, Islamabad. Pp. 1-68.

Robert, T.J. 2001. The butterflies of Pakistan. Oxford University Press. Pp.1-200.

Smith, D. S., G. Naseer, Z. Balint & S. A. Hasan.2004. Butterflies of the Hunza region. Holarctic Lepidoptera.11(1-2):1-59.

Line transacts (Starting & Ending Coordinates) of Nawabshah Riverine and Pai Forests

S.No Forest Name Start Coordinates End Coordinates

1 Kot Dhingano 26.278196, 67.961422 26.277077, 67.965911

2 Kot Dhingano 26.278718, 67.961934 26.279456, 67.965906

3 Kot Dhingano 26.268445, 67.976928 26.267857, 67.981735

4 Kot Dhingano 26.274668, 67.989026 26.276735, 67.994733

5 Kot Dhingano 26.248079, 67.951413 26.246067, 67.955942

6 Kot Dhingano 26.251206, 68.02767 26.249874, 68.028803

7 Lakhat 26.248499, 68.029629 26.251206, 68,02767

8 Lakhat 26.255331, 68.033207 26.249645, 68,030716

9 Pai 26.100248, 68.247028 26.10527, 68.244403

10 Pai 26.107032, 68.243718 26.109821, 68.250245

11 Pai 26.11086, 68.252723 26.11321, 68.258691

Fig 1. The Map Showing the Transact Routes in the Study Area

Phtogallery