Conservation of partridges and threats to wildlife in Pakistan

Author: Aisha Javed
(DVM, UAF)

Partridges are typically medium sized stout -bodied, non-migratory birds often hunted as game. So far in Pakistan 652 species have been recorded. The national bird of Pakistan is Chukar partridge ( Alectoris chukar ) while the symbolic icon of Pakistan air force is Peregrine Falcon ( Falco peregrinus ). Read articles and latest advancements in the field of poultry by visiting our poultry section

Distribution and status of partridges

Partridges are native to Asia, Europe, Africa And Middle East. Nesting on steppes prefer by some species while more forested areas are preferred by many other species. Usually, they nest on ground and have a diet consisting of seeds, grapes, and insects.

Partridges are typically medium sized stout -bodied, non-migratory birds

Environmental Benefits of Partridges

Major benefits are in habitat management, predator control, supplementary feeding.

Both Grey (Francolinus pondicerianus) & Black (Francolinus francolinus ) partridges are widely distributed throughout Pakistan. Grey and black partridges are found in lowland arable farmland & in whole country respectively.

Both are decreasing in number due to

i)Loss of their food

ii)Excessive predation

iii)Hunting

iv)Habitat destruction

Threats to partridges

Hunting

i)             Shooting

ii)            Netting

iii)           trapping

Trade at different stages of age

i)             egg

ii)            chick

iii)           sub adult

iv)           adult

Habitat destruction OR loss of habitat

Population Growth

Irrigated Agriculture

Deforestation

Environmental pollution

Predation by different animals

i)             Snake

ii)            Jackal

iii)           Red fox

iv)           Mongoose

v)            Jungle cat

A greater threat than hunting, however, probably is disappearance of habitat. Approximately 1% per year, the forest in KPK is shrinking. Most significantly are incremental incursions into forest by subsistence farmers, killing of trees through burning and tapping. The development of small agricultural plots among trees.

Principle threat due increase in population growth and excessive pressure on natural resources to meet the demands for increased standard of life.

Conservation of partridges in Pakistan

These are few birds, which are at the risk of extinction in Pakistan. There are many which may no longer be found in Pakistan however still might be surviving in the neighboring countries. 

Unchecked hunting, encroachments on their habitats, illegal trading and trapping continues. The government has taken the initiative to mitigate the situation for instance Conservation of these birds in Chitral, NWFP and many more like this have been established across Pakistan.  As well as the Convention of the International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora & Fauna (CITES).

However, much more is to be done at both national and individual level. We as the young nation need to be actively involved as well. We can aid by educating and informing local community about importance of conservation of biodiversity. 

Similarly, many birds are on verge of extinction due to hunting and many government officials call people from other countries to hunt the endangered birds in Pakistan. We can use social media to impart conservation values and keep a check on government regulations and how committed it is to follow them. 

We as young nation can organize and empower the local communities, we can pressurize the government to act and we can help conserve the biodiversity and sustain ecological balance. Even as simple as planting a tree can make a huge difference. 

As a part of young nation, I call out to all the youth of this nation that you and I can together make a difference. Among the ruthless hunting that goes on without any reduction in and around the Keenjhar lake a major wintering ground for a wide array of waterfowl some birds have found a haven where they can fly, search for food and nest without any fear of being hunted by humans.