IUCN Management Category IV (Managed Nature Reserve)

Biogeographical Province 4.08.04 (Indus-Ganges Monsoon Forest)

Geographical Location Situated on the Jhelum River, 30km downstream from Jhelum and 52km west-north-west of Gujrat. The reservoir abuts the Salt Range to the north-west and cultivated plains to the south-east. 32°43'N, 73°33'E

Date and History of Establishment Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1974. It was re-notified in September 1984.

Area 1,138ha

Land Tenure The reservoir is state owned (Provincial Government of the Punjab). The hills to the north-west are state-owned, and agricultural land to the south-east is privately owned.

Altitude 190m

Physical Features Comprises a water storage reservoir with associated marshes and extensive sand banks, created by the damming of the Jhelum River for irrigation purposes. Shallow lagoons are maintained by two embankments, which hold back the water as the level of the main channel falls. The water level fluctuates by about 2m, its maximum depth is 6.5m. The pH value varies between 6.8 and 7.2.

Climate Conditions are subtropical monsoonal, with hot summers and cool winters. Annual rainfall varies from 200mm to 500mm. Mean minimum temperature in January is 5.5°C, and mean maximum in June 40°C.

Vegetation Aquatic vegetation includes Carex fedia, Hydrilla verticillata, Nelumbo nucifera, Nymphaea lotus, Phragmites karka, Potamogeton crispus, P. pectinatus, Typha angustata, Vallisneria spiralis and Zannichellia palustris. The hills of the Salt Range to the north-west support subtropical semi-evergreen forest dominated by Olea ferruginea, Acacia modesta and Dodonea viscosa. The natural vegetation of the plains to the south-east is tropical thorn forest with species such as Acacia nilotica, Capparis decidua, Prosopis cineraria, Tamarix aphylla, Zizyphus mauritiana, Z. nummularia, Calotropis procera, Eleusine compressa, Erianthus sp., Panicum antidotale and Saccharum spp. Dalbergia sissoo and Acacia nilotica have been extensively planted alongside roads and agricultural land.

Fauna Mid-January waterfowl censuses in 1987 and 1988 produced totals of 52,400 and 43,000, respectively, of which the most numerous species were: wigeon Anas penelope (nearly 1,000), teal A. crecca (12,375), pintail Anas acuta (15,050), pochard Aythya ferina (8,480), and coot Fulica atra (18,000). Further details of the waterfowl are given by Scott (1989).

Mammals known to occur in the area include wild boar Sus scrofa, jackal Canis aureus and jungle cat Felis chaus. Hog deer Axis porcinus is believed to have been extirpated from the region.

The rich fish fauna includes Notopterus notopterus, Labeo rohita, L. gonius, L. microphthalmus, Barilius vagra, B. chilwa, Cirrhinus mrigala, Tor tor, Puntius ticto, Catla catla, Channa marulius, Cyprinus carpio, Salmo faria, Eutropiichthys vacha, Mystus bleekeri, M. seenghala, Macrognathus aculeatus, Mastacembelus pancalus, Bagarius bagarius, Sisor rabdophorus, Gagata cenia and Sicamugil cascasia. Other aquatic fauna includes Hirudinaria sp., Palaemon dayanus, P. lammarrei, Rana tigrina, Kachuga smithi and Lissemys punctata.

Cultural Heritage No information

Local Human Population Fishing is permitted under licence, and reeds and rushes are harvested for local cottage industries. Adjacent areas are used for cattle grazing, forestry and agriculture.

Visitors and Visitor Facilities No information

Scientific Research and Facilities Mid-winter waterfowl counts have been carried out regularly since 1974.

Conservation Value The shallow lagoons provide excellent wintering habitat for large numbers of waterfowl, mainly Anatidae. The reservoir is important for flood control and as a source of water for irrigation. It supports an important fishery, and has considerable potential for scientific research and education.

Conservation Management The reservoir is under the control of the Irrigation Department. Since the re-notification of the sanctuary in 1984, the level of protection has improved. Stringent measures are now being taken to manage the area.

Management Constraints Fishing activities cause some disturbance to waterfowl. There are occasional incidences of illegal hunting.

Staff No information

Budget No information

Local Addresses

No information

References

Information is taken directly from:

Scott, D.A. (Ed.) (1989). A directory of Asian wetlands. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. 1,181 pp.

Date August 1990