Bio-diversity

The Mankial valley is highly mountainous and the elevation rises from 5,600 to 17,000 ft at Koh-e-Shaheen, the boundary between Kohistan and Swat districts. Apart from great variation in altitude, the valley has a considerable variation in temperature and precipitation. As a result it supports a variety of vegetation from moist temperate forests to sub-alpine scrub and alpine meadow types. The forest comprise of various species of trees like blue pine, deodar, fir, spruce, bird cherry, walnut, acer and birch etc. The valley is a home to a great diversity of wildlife. It supports some of the endangered mammals including Snow leopard (Panthera uncia) Common leopard (Panthera pardus), Markhor (Capra falconeri cashmiriensis), Black bear (Selenarctos tibetanus), Musk deer (Moshchus moschiferus) and Wolf (Canis lupus). All these species are included in either in Appendix-I or Appendix-II of Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES). Yellow-throated marten (Martes flavigula), Red fox (Vulpes vulpes), Pika (Ochotona roylei), Golden marmot (Marmota caudata aurea) and Rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) are also found in the valley. The valley also supports a rich variety of bird fauna. Himalayan monal pheasant (Lophophorus impejanus), Himalayan snow cock (Tetraogallus himalayansis), Snow partridge (Lerwa lerwa) and Koklass pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha) are some of the key species. Except for Koklass pheasant, all the other three species are endangered. The checklist of wild species animals and birds has not been prepared as yet. This Project will provide a basis for the conservation of globally important components of biodiversity in valley.

Pakistan