Distribution of Wild Mammalian Fauna of Mahaban and Malka Valley District Buner

Naveed Akhtar,1,* Riaz Muhammad2, Kausar Saeed2, Muhammad Fiaz Khan1, Muzaffar Shah3, Jehan Zeb2, Shahid Ahmad2, Azam Jan Afridi4 and

Aftab Hussain5

1Department of Zoology, Hazara University, Mansehra

2Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan

3Center for animal sciences and fisheries, University of Swat, Swat

4Department of Zoology Islamia College University, Peshawar

5Department of Genetics, Hazara University, Mansehra

ABSTRACT

Present study was conducted in October 2015 to October 2016 to explore the mammalian fauna of Mahaban and Malka valley of district Buner, KP. The study area was divided into six different localities namely, Shahkot, Shalhodabuna, Sharra, Hanjar, Hkar gata and Muhammad Baig. During this study 10 different species belonging to 9 families, 5 orders and 10 genera of mammalswere identified. The reported species are Naemorhedus goral, Panthera pardus, Sus scrofa, Lepus nigricollis, Macaca mulatta, Canis aureus, Vulpes vulpes, Myotis myotis, Herpestes edwardsii and Hystrix indica. During the research jackals and fox species were dominant in the area. It is concluded from this study that threats like deforestation, habitat destruction, illegal and over hunting, urbanization and deforestation are possible factors of extinction formammalian fauna in district Buner. The responsible authorities are requested to take action against such problems to ensure the safety of mammalian fauna of Malka and Mahaban valley district Buner.

Article Information

Received 15 December 2016

Revised 03 March 2017

Accepted 01 April 2017

Available online 15 March 2018

Authors’ Contributions

RM and NA conducted the study. KS, MS and MFK supervised the study. JZ, SA, AJA and AH helped in data collection and finalizing the manuscript.

Key words

Biodiversity, Wild mammals, Mahaban, Malka, Buner.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.pjz/2018.50.2.sc4

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

0030-9923/2018/0002-0775 $ 9.00/0

Copyright 2018 Zoological Society of Pakistan

Pakistan is the country of various environmental region including imposing mountain ranges of Himalayas, Karakorum, and Hindu Kush, Indus plains, deserts and coastal areas. Altitudinal variations assortment from world’s second highest mountain (K2) in North to sea level in South (Roberts, 1997). Pakistan has affluent selection of wetlands, and other wildlife habitats and landscapes with their connected fauna and flora. Diverse habitats vary from everlasting glaciers to dry alpine and cold deserts, alpine scrub/moist alpine, Himalayan dry coniferous, Himalayan moist temperate forest, sub-tropical pine forest, subtropical dry mixed deciduous scrub forest, Balochistan juniper/pistachio scrub forest, dry sub-tropical and temperate semi-evergreen forest, tropical thorn forest, sand dune desert and mangrove/littoral (Zaman, 2008). Current various and attractive work of art of biodiversity in Pakistan is largely because of its transitional zone flanked by two of the world’s six major zoogeographical regions, the Palearctic, and the Oriental, species have also come from as far as the Ethiopian region (Kafley, 2008; Zaman, 2008).

There are about 195 species of mammals in Pakistan comprising of 10 orders (Roberts, 2005a, b). Of 195 mammalian species, 5 are common to Pakistan, 12 are critically endangered (1 endemic), 12 endangered (3 endemic), 20 vulnerable, 32 near threatened (1 endemic), 71 least concern, 38 data deficient, 8 regionally extinct and 2 are not evaluated (IUCN, 2003).

Buner is bounded by mounatains with pine trees. Locally Mahaban mean thick forest which is true, as entire region is enclosed by broad forest. Mahaban and Malka are one of the stunning mountainous sites of Buner, frequently enclosed by green pine forests all around. Altitutde range from 800 to 2500 m while location is 34°- 11 to 34°-34N latitude and 72°-13 to 72°-45 E longitudes. Climate of Mahaban and Malka is normal in summer and harsh in winter, average temperature in summer remains around 10-15°C for about 7 months of the year, while in winter the temperature is well below freezing (Ali et al., 2016).

This study was designed to explore the wild mammalian fauna of Mahaban and Malka valley and available threats to the wild mammalian fauna of Malka and Mahaban district Buner, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Materials and methods

Buner is the district of Malakand division (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) which is mostly hilly areas. It is surrounded by Swat in north, Malakand agency in west, Shangla in east and Swabi and Mardan in south. Buner lies between 34-09 and 34-43° N latitude and 72-10 and 72-47° E longitude (Saeed et al., 2013). The biodiversity of the area is facing threat from urbanization, illegal hunting and mining.

Mahaban and Malka are the mountainous sites of Buner, mostly enclosed by green pine forests all around. Study area has moist temperate zone. Climate is normal in summer and cruel in winter, optimum temperature in summer residue around 10-15°C for about 7 months of the year, while in winter the temperature is well below freezing (Ali et al., 2016). The study area was divided into six different localities namely, Shahkot, Shalhodabuna, Sharra, Hanjar, Hkar Gata and Muhammad Baig (Table I).

Table I.- Selected Localities of Malka and Mahaban valley.

During study direct and indirect methods were used to explore the mammalian diversity. Binoculars (32x50) were used to examine animals and filed guides were consulted to correctly identify the species (Altaf et al., 2014).

During present study telescope, mobile camera, GPS were used. Where mammals were physically sighted or its indirect evidence was collected.

Result and Discussion

During this study, 10 different species belonging to 9 families, 5 orders and 10 genera of mammals were reported (Table II). Jackals and fox species were dominant in the area. The Goral species is threatened in the Mahaban and Malka valley since it is widely hunted in the area. Another factor is mining, which disturb the habitat and the species eventually migrate from this area. Zahidullah et al. (2016) have also attributed this dwindling population of goral to deforestation, lack of proper habitat, illegal anthropogenic over hunting and over grazing.

Ninety species of mammals were reported from Balochistan in 2012 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). Roberts (1997) recorded 23 mammalian species (15 small and 8 large mammalian species) from river Chenab belonging to 20 genera, 11 families, and 6 orders. Akhtar et al. (2014) reported 8 species grey goral, porcupine, fox, monkey, wild boar, jackal, hare and bat from district Buner. In our study, the endemic species recorded from district Buner were Naemorhedus goral, Panthera pardus, Sus scrofa, Lepus nigricollis, Macaca mulatta, Canis aureus, Vulpes vulpes, Myotis myotis, Herpestes edwardsii and Hystrix indica.

Table II.- Number of Species recorded in Mahaban and Malka Valley district Buner.

*, IUCN (2017); LC, least concern; NT, near threatened.

During a study conducted by Ghalib et al. (2007) reportedt 14 species of particular conservation interest, 8 sites are important for mammals. Particular efforts are in process to preserve vital mammals chiefly in protected areas especially in Chiltan Hazarganji National Park and the Hingol National Park. During our study order Carnivora is represented by 4 species, including Panthera pardus, Canis aureus, Vulpes vulpes and Herpestes edwardsii.

Statement of conflict of interest

Authors have declared no conflict of interest.

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