By Azam Khan

What is national park? An area of countryside, protected by the state for the enjoyment of the general public or the preservation of wildlife.

National park is relatively large area where:

Ecosystems can not be altered by human activity.

Govt. has taken step to prevent exploitation.

Visitors are allowed under special conditions.

Purpose: For Research purpose. Recreation To preserve and protect the natural

resources for future generations.

Hunting, shooting, trapping, is prohibited.Firing of guns.Burning, destroying, removal of plants.Clearing of land for cultivation.Construction of roads, railway line etc.Polluting water flowing through national

park.

Prohibited acts:

National parks = 29 Wildlife sanctuaries =100 Game reserves = 90 Total protected areas = 219

Protected areas of Pakistan

Lal Suhanra is a national park of Pakistan situated in Bahawalpur district of Punjab province, which is one of the largest nationals parks in South Asia.

 It is also a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) declared Biosphere Reserve.

Lal Suhanra National Parkپارک نیشنل سہانرا لال

The park itself is situated some 35 kilometres east of Bahawalpur and presents a synthesis of forest and desert life.

 It occupies land on both sides of Desert Branch canal.

Geography

 Lal Sohanra is spread over  127,480 acres (51,368 hectares)

out of which 20,974 acres (8,491 hectares) are green land (irrigated plantations)

101,726 acres (40,942 hectares) are dry land (desert)

4,780 acres are wet land (ponds and lakes).

Area

Blackbuck became virtually extinct in the Cholistan Desert but the species has been re-introduced in Lal Suhanra within large enclosures, together with Chinkara gazelle, Nilgai antelope, Hog deer and Indian rhinoceros.

There is big lake in the center of the park called Patisar Lake, which is ideal for bird watching. Patisar Lake regularly holds between 10,000 and 30,000 ducks and common coot in mid-winter. Over 13,00 waterfowl were present in January 1987. The park also supports a large population of birds of prey.

Statistics of Wildlife

MammalsNote: T=Threatened, V=Vulnerable, R=Rare, C=Common, ?=Unknown.Long-eared Hedgehog (C)

Nilgai antelope (T)

Black buck (T)

Chinkara gazelle (V)

Hog deer (T)

Red fox (C)

Bengal Fox (V)

Golden Jackal (C)

Porcupine (C)

Caracal cat (R),

Moongoose (C)

Jungle cat (C)

Indian Wolf (R)

Wild boar (C)

Honey Badger or Ratel (?)

Little Civet (?)

Indian (Black-naped) Hare (C)

Smooth-coated Otter (V)

Indian rhino

BirdsTotal species: 160

Wheatears

Houbara bustard

Griffon vulture

Honey buzzard

Marsh harrier

Hen harrier

Laggar falcon

Peregrine falcon

Kestrel

Indian sparrow hawk

Egyptian vulture

Larks

Shrikes

Barn Owl

ReptilesMonitor lizard

Russell's viper

scaled viper

Indian cobra

Wolf snake

John's sand boa

Ring tailed lizard

The Punjab government has plans to convert the Lal Sohanra National Park into a wildlife safari park of international standard.

One of its most prominent attractions is currently the lion safari, which allows guests to see lions in their natural habitat at close range.

In addition, the park's captive breeding suite holds a pair of Indian rhinoceros which were given by Nepal

Attractions

 Rhinos were once found as far west as the Peshawar Valley during the reign of Mughal Emperor Babur, but are now extinct in Pakistan and western India.

Over 400 animals are currently being bred in the Lal Sohanra Park, including a large population of blackbucks, a breed of antelope most notable for its pronounced sexual dimorphism. The park is constantly supplied with new blackbucks in order to extend its efforts toward blackbuck conservation.