Genomics and Applied Biology 2014, Vol. 4, No. 1, 1-4
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Table 1: Mammals identified during study
Order
Family
Scientific name
Common name
Artiodactyla
Suidae
Nemorhaedus goral
Grey Goral
Artiodactyla
Suidae
Sus scrofa
wild bore
Carnivora
Canidae
Canis aureus
Jackal
Carnivora
Canidae
Vulpes bengalensis
Fox
Chiroptera
Vespertilionidae
Myotis lucifugus
Bat
Lagomorpha
Leporidae
Lepus nigricollis
Hare
Primates
Cercopithecidae
Macaca mulatta
Monkey
Rodentia
Hystricidae
Hystrix indica
Porcupine
Ninety species of mammals of Balochistan have been
recorded so far belonging to 9 orders and 27 families;
of these, 2l species are threatened, 4 species are
endemic to Balochistan, 14 species are of special
conservation interest, 8 sites are important for
mammals. Special efforts are being made to conserve
the important mammals particularly in the protected
areas especially in Chiltan Hazarganji National Park
and the Hingol National Park (Ali et al., 2012). The
mammals of district Buner belongs to 5 orders and 6
families. The threatened fauna of district Buner
include Nemorhaedus goral.
Species richness is a relative term that refers to the
number of species in a community, and is directly
associated with measuring the diversity of species in a
given area (Ali et al., 2012). Factors contributing to
habitat loss are: overpopulation, deforestation (Haq,
2012), pollution, global warming and climate change.
Other threats include introduced and invasive species
(Mooney and Cleland, 2001) that may be predators,
parasites, or may simply outcompete indigenous
species, Genetic pollution, overexploitation (Grafton
et al., 2007), hybridization and Holocene extinction
(Ehrlich and Ehrlich, 1981; Burney and Flannery,
2005; Dunn, 2005). District Buner is facing such like
activities like deforestation, overpopulation etc which
results in the endangering of some species like
Nemorhaedus goral.
Hunting, shooting and trapping of wild fauna,
extensive grazing, deforestation and loss of habitat are
the primary causes of species extinction in the district
Buner (Haq, 2012). Damage to the plants are careless
and illicit cutting and smuggling of trees and shrubs,
overgrazing, and loss of habitat. Converting the plan
slopes in the forests for cultivation also exert
enormous stress on the vegetation and result in
environmental degradation (Raup, 1994; Sahney et al.,
2010).
In our study it was found that the hunting and trapping
of the wild animals are the primary causes of species
extinction as discussed by (Haq, 2012) which is
leading to declining of species in the area. The over
grazing, over population and deforestation leads to the
loss of habitat of the species as it provide shelter and
food. The wildlife authorities are requested to take
necessary actions to save the wildlife of district Buner.
Materials and Methods
The current survey was conducted to evaluate the
current status of Mammals in District Buner Pakistan.
The surveys were conducted in the game reserves,
proposed community and private game reserves in
collaboration with the Buner Wildlife Department in
the period of January to October 2014.
Conclusion
It is concluded from the current study that
deforestation and over population are the main causes
of species extinction. Awareness among the peoples
should be created through exhibitions, seminars and
other media.
Reference
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Mammals of India. Published by Director, Zool. Surv. India, Kolkata.
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Ali H., Qamer F. M., Ahmed M. S., Khan U., Habib A. H., Chaudhry A. A.,
Ashraf S., and Khan B. N., 2012, ecological ranking of districts of
pakistan: a geospatial approach. pak. j. bot., 44: 263-268
Benton M.J., 2001, Biodiversity on land and in the sea Geological Journal
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