Risk factors responsible for wildlife destruction in District Battagram, Pakistan

Various natural disasters and anthropogenic activities are responsible for the destruction of a large number of wild species throughout the world. The present study was conducted in District Battagram, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan from March to July 2021. All the evidence was collected through a structured questionnaire, oral interview, and field survey. The habitat of wild animals is continuously destroyed due to deforestation, the rate of deforestation in the District is very high and reported in different locations, i.e. Chetoo Paimal Shareef, (almost 120 pine trees were catted) Shumalai (Donga, and Tapka) about 300 trees of pines species were catted). Human population increment also badly affects local wildlife, according to the census of 1998, the population of the district was 307,278 with an annual 0.58% growth rate and according to the census of 2017, the district population is 476,612, with a 1.46% growth rate in previous 2 decades. According to the perception of the local peoples, overhunting is directly proportional to the awareness of the local community and population, overhunting was reported from different areas, and pheasants hunting were reported from the mountains of Shumlai, Chail, Balija, and Allai. Similarly, Chakoor and Mountain Duck hunting is also reported from different areas of Nandihiaar Valley and Chor Valley. About 62% of respondents observed the forest fire in different areas of the district, among these, 14% of people specified the region of the forest fire, i.e. Shumalai Hill (2020) and Tapka (2021). Road constructions and other infrastructure lost the habitat of wild species, and many deaths of wild species were reported from road accidents on CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor). Peoples of elevated areas are very poor, so they cut the trees, and hunt wild animals to overcome their needs. Illegal fishing is very common and usually, peoples use chemicals (20%), Electric current (60%), and nets (18%). The forest and wildlife departments do not work properly, there are proper rules but there is no implementation in the district. According to the wildlife department, the ratio of staff is insufficient that's they cannot monitor properly.