Pure Appl. Biol.

, 12(1):517-522, March, 2023

http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2023.120053

Research Article

Recent records of wildlife regarding their

habitat and threats in northern Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Faiz-ur-Rahman1*, Yasir Khan2, Tabinda Rauf1, Arshad Javid3, Zulkamal4,
Ihsan Ullah5, Mohammad Salim6, Muzafar Shah7, Haider Ali8, Raqeeb Ullah9,
Israr Ullah1 and Muhammad Jamal1
1. Department of Zoology, University of Shangla, Alpurai Shangla, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
2. Department of Zoology, Shaheed Benzair Bhutto University, Wari Campus, Dir Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
3. Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences Lahore, Ravi Campus Pattoki, Pakistan
4. Department of Pharmacy, Shaheed Benazir Bhtutto University Sheringal, Dir Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
5. District Medical Entomologist, Health Department District Shangla, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
6. Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, University of Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
7. Department of Zoology, University of Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
8. Department of Zoology, Hazara University Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
9. Department of Zoology, Qurtuba University of Sciences and Information Technology Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,
Pakistan
*Corresponding author’s email: [email protected]
Citation
Faiz-ur-Rahman, Yasir Khan, Tabinda Rauf, Arshad Javid, Zulkamal, Ihsan Ullah, Mohammad Salim, Muzafar Shah,
Haider Ali, Raqeeb Ullah, Israr Ullah and Muhammad Jamal. Recent records of wildlife regarding their habitat and
threats in northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Pure and Applied Biology. Vol. 12, Issue 1, pp517-522.
http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2023.120053
Received: 17/09/2022 Revised: 10/11/2022 Accepted: 17/11/2022 Online First: 30/11/2022
Abstract
Wildlife play vital role in maintaining a balance in the biological ecosystems therefore extreme
management and conservation is needed for wildlife population to prevent it from extinction. Current study
was conducted from May 2020 to November 2021 to explore the recent wildlife fauna, their habitat analysis
and major threats to wildlife fauna in Dir Upper, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This study was carried out through
direct and indirect methods by field visiting, interviewing of the local community and hunters about the
current and past status of the wildlife fauna of the area. A total of (n=40) species were recorded belonging
to 5 classes, 18 orders and 29 families in the study area. Orders recorded were Anura, Accipitriformes,
Bucerotoformes, Strigiformes, Passeriformes, Galliformes, Psittaciformes, Anseriformes,
Columbidiformes, Rodentia, Salmoniformes, Carnivora, Primates, Lagomorpha, Artiodactyla,
Cetartiodactyle, Chiroptara and Squamata. The class Mammalia (18 species) and order Carnivora (9
species) were recorded grater in number. Wildlife fauna were found at risk of less hunting pressure and
more habitat loss. This document will help to add new information regarding wildlife trends and its recent
record to the pre-existing knowledge about wildlife of the country.
Keywords; Dir upper; Habitat; Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; Threats; Wildlife
Introduction water, food and shelter for their survival [2].
Wildlife management and conservation Information regarding wildlife habitats and
needs information regarding its habitat and species diversity can be obtained through
its faunal diversity [1]. Each habitat harbours GIS helps in identification and distribution
various species that requires basic needs like pattern of species [3-5]. Pakistan lies at the

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Western Himalayan Ranges, comprised of Margalla hills of Islamabad has wide

high peaks, lush forests, snow covered distribution of Gray francolin, Francolinus
landscapes and valleys. Climate of the pondicerianus [7, 9].
country varies from tropical at the lower Remains of hunting have an observable
elevation to permanent snow covered at the impact on ecosystem maintenance [10-12].
tops [6]. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has unique Habitat fragmentation and habitat destruction
physiographic diversity that entails are main threats to the diversity all over the
prominent status to the wildlife resources in world and highly management and
the country [7]. The forest biodiversity of preservation is needed for the maintenance of
The Western Himalayan is comprised of high biodiversity and number of different species
economic valued plants species like; Blue [13-15]. Mammalian fauna of Pakistan is
pine, Pinus wallichiana; Chilghoza pine, explored by [7]. Scavenger’s population
Pinus geradiana; fir, Abies spectsbilis; Silver maintenance and preservation of ecosystem
fir, Abies pindrow; and Spruce, Picea is greatly affected by dead organic matter of
smithiana; Cypress, Cypressus torulosa; and animals either killed or prayed [16, 17].
Deodar, Cedrus deodara. The Western Scavengers play an important role in the
Himalayan including the temperate forests nitrogen cycle, distribution and yield of
are considered as the hot spots of biodiversity nutrients obtained from dead organic matter
and globally recognized for conservation [18-20]. Mostly people have negative
predominantly. Four dominant Eco-regions perception towards those wildlife species
of the country belong to Western Himalayan which are larger in size, may be diurnal or
Included; Himalayan subtropical pine forests, nocturnal in behavior but people consider
Northwestern Himalayan alpine shrubs and them harmful for them [21, 22]. Sometime
meadows, Western Himalayan broadleaf due to rare and uncommon events people
forests and western Himalayan subalpine have negative attitude towards wildlife [22-
conifer forests. Avian fauna of The Western 24]. The role of hunting is increased as food
Himalayan is comprised of 285 species, nine providing agent in ecosystem due to increase
of them are endemic to this zone included; in sports hunting and increase in hoofed
Himalayan quail, western tragopan, hoary- wildlife population [25, 26]. Dir (upper) is
throated barwing, white-cheecked tit, white- comprised of; the permanent snow fields or
throated tit, spectacular finch, wren babbler, cold deserts found above 12,000’ with fauna
orange bullfinch kashmir nuthatch and like snow leopard, Himalayan ibex, snow
Critically Endangered Himalayan griffon cock and snow partridge; the Alpine
vulture, Gyps himalayensis [8]. meadows found above tree line and below the
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is comprised of rich snow line with fauna like snow leopard,
forests and natural ecosystems that inhabits Brown Bear, Himalayan ibex, Musk deer,
huge wildlife species but due to and now Golden marmot and Golden eagle; dry
wildlife population is at risk of extinction due temperate conifer forests found at 7000’ to
to hunting. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa therefore 9500’ with fauna black bear, yellow throated
high management and protection is needed martin and markhor [7, 8]. Present study was
for conservation of wild fauna in Khyber conducted to explore recent wild fauna,
Pakhtunkhwa. The dry regions such as Indus habitats of wildlife species and major threats
plains, Thar deserts in Sindh, Thal and to wild fauna in Dir Upper Khyber
Cholistan deserts in Punjab, lower hills of the Pakhtunkhwa. District Dir upper (35°, 04' to
Makran and Lasbela in balochistan, Cherat 35°, 46' N, 71°, 32' to 72°, 22' E), lies at the
and Kohat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and northern end of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,

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Pakistan during, its area is 3699 Km sq with survival so much so that species are said to be
population community of 899,000 people. the product of their habitat [2].
Literacy Ratio is (21.21 %) included; Record of wildlife fauna
Females (6.10%) and males (36.10%), During the present study various bird species
respectively. Occupation included; farming, include kite, Milvus migrans; vulture,
daily wages, trade and working overseas. Gypaetus barbatus; quail, Coturnix
Topographically the area is comprised of lush ypsilophora; duck, Dendrocygna
green lofty mountains. Average rainfall is 1, autumnalis; owl, Athene noctua; sky lark,
415.9 mm/year, with average Annual Alauda arvensis; dove, Columba livia; eagle,
humidity are 65.9 while the lowest Haliaeetus leucogaster; partridge,
temperature is -2.4 ºC with prolong and cold Arborophila torqueola; chukar, Alectoris
winter season and highest temperature is 32.5 chukar; grey partridge, Perdix perdix; crow,
ºC with short and hot summer. Corvus ruficollis; nightingale, Luscinia
Materials and Methods megarhynchos; sparrow, Montifringilla
Study area adamsi; myna, Acridotheres tristis; parrot,
This study was conducted to investigate Psittacula krameri; and hoopoe, Upupa
recent wildlife fauna, their habitat and epops were recorded from various habitats
various threats to them in District Dir upper, (Table 1). While, Roberts [6] Himalayan
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from May 2020 to quail, Western tragopan, Hoary-throated
November 2021. barwing, White-cheecked Tit, White-
Study of recent record of wildlife throated tit, spectacular finch, Wren Babbler,
Study of recent record of wildlife was Orange bullfinch kashmir Nuthatch and
conducted through self-observations and Critically Endangered Himalayan griffon
questionnaire. The data was collected from vulture, Gyps himalayensis. While among
the local community participants regarding the reptiles and mammals various extant and
recent records of wildlife in Dir upper. extinct species include varanous, Varanus
Study of wildlife habitat salvator; snake, Natrix natrix; lizard,
Wildlife habitats were studied through self- Podarcis muralis; Mammals: bat, Pteropus
observations of species and interviewing giganteus; wild boar, Sus scrofa; rate, Rattus
local people by questionnaires. rattus; mouse, Apodemus rusiges; jackal,
Study of threats to wildlife population Canis aureus; mongoose, Herpestes
Study of threats was done through self- javanicus; fox, Vulpes vulpes; rabbit,
observations and by using various tools like Sylvilagus bachmani; porcupine, Hystrix
binocular faecal pallets, feather, hair, foot indica; wolf, Canis lupus; monkey
prints etc. and questionnaire from the local (Endangered), Papio Anubis; squirrel,
community of the area. Questionnaires were Sciurus carolinensis; bear, Ursus thibetanus
filled according to the responses of the (Endangered) were recorded from the study
participants of the local community people. area (Table 1). Roberts [8] reported 174
Results and Discussion mammal species comprised of Palearctic
Information about wildlife and their habitats Himalayan, Baluchistan, Ethiopian realm
are the only ways for conservation and Thar Desert ad Makran coast.
wildlife management Wildlife habitat Threats to wildlife fauna
basically comprises of food, cover and water According to Hill [20] and Naughton [21]
[1]. Each species requires a particular habitat majority of the people have negative
or the space, food, shelter and other needs of perception towards those wildlife species
which are larger in size, may be diurnal or

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nocturnal in behavior but people consider roads and buildings, pesticides use,
them harmful for them. During this study destruction and fragmentation of habitat,
threats recorded were deforestation and over grazing in pastures and loss of habitat
cutting trees for fuel, timber, furniture and are the main human activities which greatly
trade; hunting, killing, pouching, affect wildlife population and causing
domestication, predation, decoration, extinction of wildlife species (Table 2).
pressure of over population, construction of

Table 1. Wildlife species regarding their habitat recorded from Dir upper Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan during May 2020 to November 2021
Class Orders Families S. Name C. Name Status Habitat
Hoplobatrichus
Amphibian Anura Dicroglossidae Frog Common Streams, lack
tigerinus
Aves Accipitriformes Accipitridae Milvus migrans Kite Common forests,mountain
Haliaeetus leucogaster Eagle Rare Mountains peaks
Gypaetus barbatus Vulture Rare Forests
Bucerotoformes Upupidae Upupa epops Hoopoe Common Grasslands
Strigiformes Strigidae Athene noctua Owl Common Forests
Passeriformes Alaudidae Alauda arvensis Sky Lark Common Grass lands
Passeroidae Montifringilla adamsi Sparrow Very common Dense trees
Corvidae Corvus ruficollis Crow Very common Forests
Luscinia
Muscicapidae Nightingale Common Dense vegetation
megarhynchos
Sternums Acridotheres tristis Myna Very common Trees, wires
Galliformes Phasianidae Coturnix ypsilophora Quail Rare Dense vegetation
Alectoris chukar Chukar Common Forests
Arborophila torqueola Partridge Common Forests
Gray
Perdix perdix Common Forests
Partridge
Psittaciformes Psittaculidae Psittacula krameri Parrot Rare Forests
Dendrocygna
Anseriformes Anatidae Duck Rare Water
autumnalis
Columbidiformes Columbidae Columba livia Dove Common Forests
Actinopterygii Salmoniformes Salmonidae Salmo marmoratus Trout Very common Fresh water
Mammalia Carnivora Herpestidae Herpestes javanicus Mongoose Common Forests
Ursidae Ursus thibetanus Bear Rare Forests
Canis aureus Jackal Very common Hilly areas
Cercopithecida
Primates Papio Anubis Monkey Rare Forests
e
Lagomorpha Leporidae Sylvilagus bachmani Rabbit Common Forests
Artiodactyla Suidae Sus scrofa Wild Boar Rare Forests
Cetartiodactyle Moschidae Moschus cupreus Deer Not Forests
Rodentia Sciuridae Sciurus carolinensis Squirrel Not Trees
Muridae Apodemus rusiges Mouse Very common Fields, houses
Human
Rattus rattus Rate Very common
habitation
Hystricidae Hystrix indica Porcupine Very common forests
Chiroptara Pteropodidae Pteropus vampyrus Bat Common Roosts
Reptilia Squamata Varanidae Varanus salvator Varanus Common Hilly area, water
Lacertidae Podarcis muralis Lizard Very common Forests
Colubridae Natrix natrix Snake Very common Holes

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Table 2. Habitat and threats to wildlife population in Dir upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,
Pakistan recorded during May 2020 to November 2021
S. Name C. Name Habitat Threats
Hoplobatrichus tigerinus Frog Streams, lack Habitat destruction
Milvus migrans Kite forests, mountains Hunting, Habitat destruction
Haliaeetus leucogaster Eagle Mountains peaks Hunting, Habitat destruction
Gypaetus barbatus Vulture Forests Hunting, Habitat destruction
Upupa epops Hoopoe Grasslands Hunting, Habitat destruction
Athene noctua Owl Forests Hunting, Habitat destruction
Alauda arvensis Sky Lark Grass lands Hunting, Habitat destruction
Montifringilla adamsi Sparrow Dense trees Hunting, Habitat destruction
Corvus ruficollis Crow Forests Predation, Habitat destruction
Luscinia megarhynchos Nightingale Dense vegetation Hunting, Habitat destruction
Acridotheres tristis Myna Trees, wires Hunting, Habitat destruction
Coturnix ypsilophora Quail Dense vegetation Hunting, Habitat destruction
Alectoris chukar Chukar Forests Hunting, Habitat destruction
Arborophila torqueola Partridge Forests Hunting, Habitat destruction
Perdix perdix Gray Partridge Forests Hunting, Habitat destruction
Psittacula krameri Parrot Forests Domestication, hunting
Dendrocygna autumnalis Duck Water Hunting, Habitat destruction
Columba livia Dove Forests Hunting, Habitat destruction
Salmo marmoratus Trout Fresh water Fishing, water pollution
Herpestes javanicus Mongoose Forests Pest control, Local trade
Ursus thibetanus Bear Forests Killing, Hunting, Pouching
Canis aureus Jackal Hilly areas Hunting, Habitat destruction
Papio anubis Monkey Forests Tourism, Land transport
Sylvilagus bachmani Rabbit Forests Hunting, Habitat destruction
Sus scrofa Wild Boar Forests Hunting
Moschus cupreus Deer Forests Hunting, Habitat destruction
Sciurus carolinensis Squirrel Trees Hunting, Habitat destruction
Apodemus rusiges Mouse Fields, houses Predation by animals
Rattus rattus Rat Human habitation Baiting, Pesticides
Hystrix indica Porcupine Forests Hunting, Habitat destruction
Pteropus vampyrus Bat Roosts Hunting, Habitat destruction
Varanus salvator Varanus Hilly area, water Hunting, Habitat destruction
Podarcis muralis Lizard Forests Habitat destruction
Natrix natrix Snake Holes Killing, habitat destruction

Conclusion and Recommendations awareness for the wildlife fauna of the study area
In this study a total (n=40) species were recorded will be needed.
belongs to 5 classes, 18 orders and 29 families in Author’s contribution
the study area. Orders recorded were Anura, Conceived and designed experiment: FU
Accipitriformes, Bucerotoformes, Strigiformes, Rahman, Y Khan & Zulkamal, Experiment
Passeriformes, Galliformes, Psittaciformes, performed: Y Khan, I Ullah & M Jamal, Data was
Anseriformes, Columbidiformes, Rodentia, analyzed: FU Rahman, M Salim & M Shah,
Salmoniformes, Carnivora, Primates, Materials and analysis of tools: Ihsanullah, H Ali
Lagomorpha, Artiodactyla, Cetartiodactyle, & R Ullah, Designed and wrote: FU Rahman, A
Chiroptara and Squamata. The class Mammalia Javid & T Rauf.
(18 species) and order Carnivora (9 species) were Acknowledgement
recorded grater in number. Wildlife fauna were This study was made possible through the
found at risk of less hunting pressure and more generous support of Dr. Nasir Khan and Dr.
habitat loss. A thorough investigation of wildlife Farman Ali Khan. The authors thank Dr. Sajjad
fauna in all areas remained from study is Khan Assistant Botanist, for their possible efforts
suggested in order to record more species. A in editing and corrections of the manuscript.
proper plan for conservation measures and References

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