Conservation: Management plan of Taunsa Barrage Wildlife Sanctuary discussed

LAHORE:

Taunsa Barrage Wildlife Sanctuary faces issues like limited cultivation, deteriorating wildlife habitat, introduction of alien species, dependence of local communities on fuelwood, overgrazing and overfishing that is affecting the ecology of the area, participants of a workshop were told on Monday. WWF-Pakistan in collaboration with the Forests, Wildlife and Fisheries Department had organised the one-day consultative workshop to finalise the management plan of Taunsa Barrage Wildlife Sanctuary.

Wildlife and Parks Department Director General Nayyar Iqbal was the chief guest. Fisheries Department Director General Muhammad Ayub and representatives from the Planning and Development, Wildlife, Fisheries, Irrigation Departments and local community attended the event.

The participants were apprised of the socio-ecological importance of Taunsa Barrage.

WWF-Pakistan Director General Hammad Naqi Khan highlighted the role of the organisation in conserving the natural resources of the country, especially Taunsa Barrage Wildlife Sanctuary.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 11^th, 2014.