Qurumber national park ghizer gilgit baltistan, pakistan

A review of Qurumber National Park Ghizer, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan
KAINAT ZAHARA, PZOF19M025, M-phil Zoology(2019-2021),University Of Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan
Kainatmumtaz126@gmail.com
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QURUMBER NATIONAL PARK GHIZER
Introduction
Ghizer district is located in the northern part of Gilgit – Baltistan and is known as
gateway to Central Asia. Ghizer is a distorted form of the name “Gherz” which means
“Refugees” in Khowar language. According to history, the Mehtar of Chitral forced the
people to migrate towards Gupis. They were settled in the area between Chitral and Gupis,
therefore, the area was called as Gherz and the people were termed as Ghezric. Later, its
permanent name was declared as Ghizer.(Haider, 2020; Ilyas, 2020).
Many beautiful valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan are situated in the area of district Ghizer.
The main valleys are Ishkoman, Qurumber, Yasin, Phander, Hundarap and Punyal
Valley(Haider, 2020; Ilyas, 2020)
The National Park located in the north western reaches of Gilgit-Baltistan presents a
unique cultural and ecological biodiversity. The valley harbour a variety of natural
resources such as rare wildlife species, water sources, high value medicinal plants, forests
and pastures. The socioeconomic and agricultural development, women empowerment,
improving health status and quality education in Qurumber valley indicates that
Nongovernmental Organizations are real and positive social change agents, they have now
emerged as a major player in development of the region particularly, in the fields of
conservation, education, development and women empowerment. At community level, they
are in the front line in providing basic needs and amenities; in identifying issues, raising
awareness, building capacity to manage the natural resources and in dealing with
sustainable development concerns. (pamir.times@gmail.com).
It is a relatively new park that was notified in 2011. The park has significance due to
presence of one of the highest wetland in the form of Qurumber Lake. Besides that the area
is habitat for snow leopard, Himalayan Ibex and Brown Bear. The area is extensively used
for grazing of alpine pastures that are intermittently supported with sparse patches of
Juniper forests. The park is located in the Qurumber valley that covers an area of 640 sq km.
The valley is situated at a distance of 150 km from Gilgit city. The core area of Qurumber
National Park (QNP), spreading over 740 sq km is the first wetland based National Park. It
is located near Pak-Afghan border at an elevation of 4,285 m ASL in Ghizer district of

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Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. It was declared National Park by Gilgit-Baltistan government in
August 2011(Haider, 2020; KHAN, HUSSAIN, MUNDKUR, ABBAS, & KHAN, 2011).
Date of establishment
It was declared as Qurumber National Park on August 2nd, 2011 under section-5 of
Gilgit-Baltistan Wildlife preservation Act 1975(Haider, 2020).
Reason of Establishment
The valley is proposed to be declared as national Park to protect fragile mountain
ecosystems and their biodiversity for the development of the area and to protect highest
wetland in the form of Qurumber Lake and it’s biodiversity(Haider, 2020; Ilyas, 2020).
Area
An approximately 740.55 sq. kilometer area in Ghizer District (74,055
hectares)(Hameed et al., 2020).
Boundries
North: Northern side of the Qurumber National Park follows the Pak-Afghan border.
East: Eastern side of the boundary follows the district administrative boundary between
Tehsil Ishkoman of Ghizer District and Hunza-Nagar District.
South: Southern boundary follows the common administrative boundary of Ghizer District
and Hunza-Nagar District(Haider, 2020).
Geographical location
Coordinates
73º 38ʹ 19.84ʺ E, 36º 54ʹ 47.66ʺ N to 74º 19ʹ 07.80ʺ E, 36º 33ʹ 39.84ʺ N
Physical location
The Qurumber National Park is located in Pamir Mountains and the landscape of the
Park is rugged, dominated by narrow valleys, ravines, cliffs and ridges, and mostly
glaciated mountain crests. The Qurumber Valley is spread across 124 Km and comprises of

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9 rural settlements namely, Phekhin, Mahtramdan, Bhurt (Ganjabad/Badaswat),
BilhanzBala/ Payeen, Tashnalot and Imit. (pamir.times@gmail.com) (Chettri, Shakya,
Thapa, & Sharma, 2008; Haider, 2020).
(Haider, 2020)

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(Ilyas, 2020)
Climate
The Valley falls under the mountain desert ecosystem where the average rainfall rarely
exceeds 150 mm. The climate is primarily dry. Rainfall is mainly during the months
between March and May, and the snowfall between Decembers and February. Glaciers

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usually melt between June and August. The area remains under the influence of severe cold
during the winter season while the summer is mild.The rainfall is scarce, monsoon cannot
cross the high mountains, and stays far reach of the area(Haider, 2020; KHAN et al., 2011).
The climate here is "desert." There is virtually no rainfall all year along in Gilgit. The
average temperature is 16.5 °C. The average rainfall is 154 mm per year.
Geology:
The following rock types are identified in the area; quarts, schists, dolomite, granites,
gneiss and other sedimentary and metamorphic rocks(Haider, 2020; Nawaz, Hameed, &
Team).
Topography
Qurumber lake located at an elevation of 4272 m is one of the highest biologically
active lake in the world. Qurumber basin collects water via snow melts, rainfall and from
numerous streams in the North and West, whereas on the South the glacial thawing is the
source of water. Karambar Lake, also known as Qurumbar Lake, is a high altitude lake
located in the extreme north of Ishkoman, a valley in Ghizer District of Gilgit Baltistan,
near the boundary of Chitral, Pakistan. It is the 33rd highest lake in the world.
(highestlake.com. Retrieved 14 September 2019).
The area lies within the Hindu-kush mountain range and is characterized by high
rugged mountains and deep valleys. The main villages exists at an elevation of 1000 to
11000 feet. The Karambar Lake and pastures are situated above 14000 feet
elevation(Haider, 2020; Khan et al., 2012).
Hydrology
Qurumber Lake is situated at an altitude of 4272m and is approximately 3.9 km long
and 2k m wide, having an average depth of 52m. The lake is fed by many streams on
western and northern sides and by the glacier water on the southern side. The outlet stream
from the lake ultimately forms the Qurumber River which joins Ishkoman River before

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falling into Gilgit River near Gakuch. The river is lined with natural growth of Seabuck
thorn plants and cultivated fields(Haider, 2020; Khan et al., 2012).
Best time to visit
The preferable time to visit this place is between June and August due to its rich
events and landscapes(Haider, 2020; Mishra, 1993).
Access to park
The park is located in the Qurumber valley that covers an area of 640 sq km. The
valley is situated at a distance of 150 km from Gilgit city. QNP spearheads its boundaries
with Hindu Kush Range as it meets the Karakoram along the Bur valley catchments The
Qurumber Valley starts from Bur Jungle, the villages from Bur Jungle to Imit are connected
with metalled road and majority of the population resides in this area. The villages from Imit
to Matramdan are connected with jeepable road, whereas from Matramdan to Piyakhin the
approach is trackable. The villages of Mujavir, Bilhanz, Gunjabad, Borth, Yazbin and
Matramdan are located on the main jeepable road whereas the hemlets of Thoshnaload,
Dowandas, Badsowad are connected through offshoot from the main road. Due to increase in
severity of weather conditions, both for human and livestock, the number of households
decrease from Imit to Piyakhin(Haider, 2020; Khan, 2012).
(Haider, 2020)

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Culture and Lifestyle
The residents speak four languages i.e. Wakhi, Khowar, Shina and Burushiski.
Total population of these villages is 4700 people. Livestock rearing, herding and
subsistence agriculture are the main stakes of local economy. The residents meet their
household energy requirements by burning peat & wood collected from mountain slopes.
Collection of medicinal plants and their sale also supplements the local’s income. People
are also employed in the defense sector, government and private institutions, private
businesses and tourism industry. They are also craftsmen and worked as unskilled and
skilled laborers. (pamir.times@gmail.com)(Haider, 2020; Ilyas, 2020).
Flora of Qurumber National Park
Four vegetation zones can be distinguished along the elevation gradient, alpine dry
steppe, subalpine scrub zone, alpine meadows and permanent snowfields.
The variation in elevation of Qurumber Valley ranges from 7500 feet to 12500 feet
that allows existence of different vegetation types The natural forests are limited to a few
isolated patches of Juniper (Juniperus excellsa), Blue pine (pinus wallichiana), Birch
(Betula utilis), and Willow (Salix spp.). The shrub cover is dominated with Artemisia
species, Ephedra, Wild rose and Barbaris species. The common herb and grasses found in
the area are Poa bulbosa, Tanacetum longifolia, Stipa, Thymus sarphylum, Polygonum and
Potentilla(Haider, 2020; Ilyas, 2020).
Fauna Of Qurumber National Park
According to PLA 1998, the number of ibex decreased from 1200 in 1970 to 110 in
1997, shows 80% hunting similarly, snow leopard decreased from 100 in 1970 to 50 in
1997, showing 10% hunting of this animal(Haider, 2020; Ilyas, 2020)
Ungulates forming an important element of biodiversity act as key indicators of habitat
quality in the mountain ranges. The Himalayas and associated mountains offer home to
about 31 species (38.7%) of Caprinae found worldwide, the richest in any part of the
world(Shackleton, 1997; Zafar et al., 2014).

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Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) lying at the confluence of world’s three great mountain ranges
viz., Hindu Kush, Karakoram, and Himalayas (HKH), is endowed with a variety of species,
habitats and ecosystems (ICIMOD, 2010; Shaheen and Shinwari, 2012). The region has
significant populations of several globally important wildlife species including 54 mammal,
230 bird, 23 reptile, 20 cold-water fish and 6 amphibian species (GoP/IUCN, 2002). HKH
is among WWF’s 200 global priority eco-regions and classified as Endemic Bird Area
(EBA) of Urgent Biological Importance (Chettri, 2008). Snow leopard (Unciauncia), brown
bear (Ursus arctos), black bear (Ursus thibetanus), Astore markhor (Capra falconeri
falconeri), blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur), Ladakh urial (Ovis vignei), Marco Polo’s sheep
(Ovis ammon polii), Himalayan musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster), Himalayan ibex (Capra
ibex sibirica), woolly flying squirrel (Eupetaurus cinereus) and Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra)
are key mammals (Roberts,1977; Schaller, 2008; Ablimit et al., 2011; Khan et al.,2012).
Snow leopard, Brown bear, Marco Polo’s sheep, Blue sheep and musk deer are protected
yet not fully secure of poaching in their habitats (Rasool, 1990, Khan, 1996). (Shackleton,
1997; Zafar et al., 2014).
According to Abbas et. al. (2014), the geographic location of GB positioned between
the world’s two geographic realms, i.e. the Palearctic and Oriental realms makes it an ideal
habitat for biodiversity. Presence of wetlands like high and low altitude seasonal and
permanent lakes, migratory route, The Indus Flyway makes it ideal for bird species,
especially the migratory species. Migratory species include, the passage migrants, vagrants,
residents, breeding and irregular visitors (Robert, 1991). GB is also home to game birds like
the Himalayan monal pheasant, Snow partridge, Himalayan Snow cock, Chakur and quails
(Virk et al., 2003). Threatened species like the Sociable lapwing, Lesser kestrel,
Ferruginous duck, Kashmir flycatcher, Long belled bush warbler, Tytlers warbler and India
skimmer also visits the area(Abbas et al., 2019).
WWF-Pakistan conducted various studies on diversity and abundance of birds in high
altitude wetlands of GB and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) under the framework of “Saving
Wetland Sky High Programme (SWSH) and Pakistan Wetlands Programme. Overall, 146
species belonging to 47 families were recorded from 15 high altitude lakes of GB. Habib
(2007) recorded 25 birds species belonging to 15 families from Qurumbar lake, Shandur
Lake, Handrap Lake, Rama Lake and Sheosar Lake areas of GB. Sheikh (2001) has listed
110 species and has studied the ecology of birds from Naltar valley. Biddulph (1981) also

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contributed to the ornithology of Gilgit, especially from Darel valley, Ghizer and Astore.
The most recent contribution in the field of ornithology is by Abbas et al. (2014), in which
108 species were observed from the Central Karakoram National Park, which is the largest
National Park of Pakistan. In the neighboring areas of Chinese province Xinjiang the birds
are studied by Ma Ming et al. (1991, 2010)(Abbas et al., 2019).
Importance
 Law enforcement for sustainable management of Wildlife species & habitat by
punishing various offenders by respective Magistrates.
 Strengthen watch & ward and patrolling
 Control poaching by more support from communities
 Initiate and implement sustainable trophy hunting program as a model conservation
tool.
 Declaration of more than 56% of GB as protected area.
 1st time started simultaneous International standard surveys for target species by
involving NGOs, Academia and Ministry of Climate Change.
 Preparation of management plans.
 Prepared draft Gilgit-Baltistan Wildlife Act.
 Prepared Trophy Hunting Guidelines for GB and approved from Wildlife
Management Board.
 Infrastructure development & capacity building of staff.
 Prepared and submitted a project under ADP for Strengthening PAs management
system in GB & submitted to the GBDDWP and a mega project under the umbrella
of TBTTP has also been approved.
 Successfully implemented donor funded projects like SEED project for CKNP
funded by Italian Govt, UNDP project for CKNP & DNP.
 Drafted proposal for centralized human wildlife conflict management fund.
 SOPs have been designed for hunting etc(Haider, 2020; Ilyas, 2020)

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Strenghts
 Rich Ecological and Social Diversity
 Globally Unique Conservation Model
 Internationally Relevant Legislation
 Robust INGOs/NGOs/IOs Engagement
 Potential to Increase PAs
 Potential for Conservation Oriented Research
 Strategic Location(Haider, 2020; Ilyas, 2020).
Constraints
 Excessive use of pastures
 Deforestation
 Illegal hunting and poaching
 Lack of awareness
 Under Capacitated Organizational Structure
 Financial / HR / Logistics / Infrastructure Crunch
 No Long Term Strategy
 Non-systemized Research
 Outlived Legislation
 Population Pressure
 Livestock Pressure
 Conversion of Rangelands and Pastures into Agriculture(Haider, 2020; Ilyas, 2020).

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Flora
(Haider, 2020)
Serial No: Common Name Scientific Name
1. Willow Salix tetrasperma & Salix alba
2. Birch Betula utilis
3. Pencil cedar Juniperus macropoda
4. Ash Fraxinus xanthoxyloides
5. Blue pine Pinus wallichiana
6. Fig Ficus religiosa
7. Poplar Populus nigra & Populus alba
8. Juniper berries Juniperus communis
9. Goose berry Ribes alpestris
10. Barberry Berberis lyceum
12. Wild rose Rosa webbiana
13. Lonicera sp. Lonicera rupicola

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Avi-fauna
Common name Scientific name Species status
1 Snow pigeon Columba leuconota LC ( least concern )
2 Brown dipper Cinclus pallasii LC
3 Hoopoe Upupa epops 90.9% LC & 9.1% EX
( Extinct )
4 Jungle crow Corvus macrorhynchos LC
5 Yellow wagtail Motacilla flava LC
6 White /pied wagtail Motacilla alba LC
7 Coot Fulica atra 23% EX, 9.8% VU
( vulnerable ) & 40% LC
8 Laughing thrush Garrulax lineatus N/A
9 Grey tit Parus major LC
10 Chukar partridge Alectoris chukar N/A
11 Hill pigeon Comlumba rupetris LC
12 Himalayan snow cock Teraogallus himalayensis N/A
13 Wall creeper Tichodroma mauraria N/A
14 Blue whistling thrush Myiophoneus caeruleus LC
15 House sparrow Passer domesticus LC
16 Snow partridge Lerwa lerwa LC
17 Mountain finch Leucosticte brandti CR (Critically Endangered)
18 Rock bunting Emberiza cia LC
19 Pin tail Anas acuta -
20 Peregrine falcon Falco jugger LC
21 Red billed chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax LC
22 Alpine chough Pyrrhocorax graculus LC
23 Rock thrush Monticola cinclorhyncha -

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(Abbas et al., 2019; Haider, 2020) (IUCN red list)
Mammals
24 Himalayan griffon Gypaetus himalayensis NT
25 Golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos EN
26 Northern eagle owl Bubo bubo LC
27 Bearded vulture Gypaetus barbatus NT
28 Gadwall Mareca strepera -
29 Eurasian sparrow hawk Accipiter nisus -
30 Demoiselle crane Grus virgo LC
31 Curlew sandpiper Calidris ferruginea NT
32 Green sandpiper Tringa ochropus Threatened
33 Eurasian kestrel Falco tinnuncultus -
34 Eurasian cuckoo Cuculus canorus -
.# Common name Scientific name Species status
1 Cape hare Lepus capensis LC
2 Himalayan ibex Capra Ibex sibirica LC
3 Grey flying squirrel Hylopetes fimbriatus VU ( Vulnerable )
4 Snow leopard Uncia uncial VU
5 Red fox Vulpes vulpes montana LC
6 Marmot Marmota caudata caudata DD (Data Deficient)

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(Ning, Shaoliang, Joshi, & Bisht, 2016; Zafar et al., 2014)(IUCN red list)
Fish (found below the wetland near the villages)
S # Local name Scientific name Family
1 Gahi chemo Schizothorax plagiostomus Cyprinidae
2 Konozobo Triplophysa stoliczkai Sisoridae
3 Engrizee cheemo Salmo trutta fario Salmonidae
(Haider, 2020; Khan et al., 2012)
Conservation plans
WWF-Pakistan started its intervention in Qurumber valley in 1998 through its
“Integrated Conservation and Development Project (ICDP)”.Through this project; they
enabled the communities to conserve natural resources for sustainable development of the
valley, by giving them economic incentives such as trophy hunting. They further introduced
alternate sources of income generation through ecotourism, marketing of medicinal plants,
women made handicrafts, capacity building and institutional strengthening. WWF-Pakistan
has played a lead role in conserving wildlife and birds, resulting in increase in number of
ibex from 150 in 1997 to 1260 in 2010. The rate of increase is 86 ibex per year. The
successful trophy hunting exercise, through organizing the community based platforms has
turned the hunters into conservationists. The parameter of conservation success can be
measured of the recent demands from the community end to declare the area as a National
Park, Ramsar Site to further enhance the protection and conservation status of valley at
national and international level.
7 Brown bear Ursus arctos LC
8 Himalayan lynx Felis lynx VU
9 Wolf Canis lupus EN (Endangered)
10 Lynx Lynx canadensis N/A

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WWF-P project in 2013 “Community based conservation of Snow Leopard and
improved watershed management” Donor for this project is “ WWF-US”(Haider, 2020;
Ilyas, 2020).
WWF-P project in 2013 “Common Leopard Conservation Project” funded by “Human
Welfare and Nature Conservation Society”(Haider, 2020; Ilyas, 2020).
Conservation plans of 2018-2019, 2020
“Ten billion trees tusnami programme phase-1 up scaling of green pakistan
programme (revised) revival of wildlife resources Gilgit Baltistan-Component” this
PSDP project is running in Gilgit-Baltistan area ,this PSDP is of fedral level AND
“Protected areas management of Gilgit-Ghizer district (management and revitalization
of Qurumber and Hundrab National Park for protection and conservation of biological
diversity )” this project of ADP has been approved. Both projects aims to revamp the
national park making it operational with management plan infrastructure, human resource
etc(Haider, 2020).
Future Plans
 Establishment of Parks & Wildlife Directorate
 Promulgation of GB Wildlife Act 2020
 Regulatory Framework for Ecologically Sensitive Areas
 Declaration of GB as First Green Province: Biosphere Reserve
 Ecotourism Promotion in National Parks
 Development of KNP as Model Park
 Wetland Conservation Programme
 New PAs: Black Bear, Ladakh Urial, Musk Deer, 10 CMCAs
 Systemized Research Programs
 Establishment of Wildlife Research And Training Institute (Ilyas, 2020).

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Immediate Plans
 Finalization of GB Wildlife Act.
 Engagement of interns to gather data(Haider, 2020; Ilyas, 2020).
Short Term Plans
 Creation of linkages with national and international organizations for capacity
building of staff.
 Preparation of wildlife policies & rules for bird hunting and eco-tourism.
 Designing of MoU for long term partnership with a national or international
institution.
 Engagement of a well conversant consultant for all wildlife issues and
solutions(Haider, 2020; Ilyas, 2020).
Medium Term Plans
 Enhancement of protected areas coverage.
 Declaration of protected area for Musk Deer, Asiatic Black Bear, Ladakh Urial &
Ghizer River.
 Identification of high altitude lakes, rivers and ecologically sensitive areas for their
long term future planning(Ilyas, 2020).
Long Term Plans
 Fictionalization of dormant National Parks of QNP & HSNP.
 Infrastructure development through FRF (PC-I submitted).
 Re-organization of department (proposal submitted).
 Establishment of biodiversity information and management system
 Finalization of vision 2050.
 National Park buffer zone planning and regulation(Haider, 2020; Ilyas, 2020).

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Designation hierarchy
_
(Haider, 2020)
Chief Conservator
Forests, Wildlife & Environment
Chief Secretary
Gilgit-Baltistan / Chief Warden
Conservator
Forests (Gilgit)
Conservator
Parks & Wildlife
(Gilgit-Baltistan)
Conservator
Forests
(Baltistan)
Project Director
CKNP
Wildlife
Management Officer
KNP
Wildlife
Management
Officer
DNP
Project Director
CKNP

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(Ilyas, 2020)

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Bibliography
Abbas, S., Hussain, E., Abbas, H., Hussain, S., Tabassum, R., Khan, M. Z., & Nabi, M. (2019). Species
diversity, feeding habits and conservation status of birds in Qurumbar National Park, Gilgit-
Baltistan, Pakistan. Intern. J. Zool. Invest, 5(2), 108-117.
Chettri, N., Shakya, B., Thapa, R., & Sharma, E. (2008). Status of a protected area system in the
Hindu Kush-Himalayas: An analysis of PA coverage. The International Journal of Biodiversity
Science and Management, 4(3), 164-178.
Haider, J. (2020, 12 March 2020). [A review of Qurumber national park Ghizer, Pakistan].
Hameed, S., ud Din, J., Ali, H., Kabir, M., Younas, M., Hao, W., . . . Nawaz, M. A. (2020). Identifying
Priority Landscapes for Conservation of Snow Leopards in Pakistan. bioRxiv.
Ilyas, M. (2020, 10 March 2020). [Major Wildlife species of GilgitBaltistan].
Khan, B. (2012). Pastoralism-wildlife conservation conflict in climate change context: A study of
climatic factors influencing fragile mountain ecosystem and pastoral livelihoods in
Karakoram-Pamir trans-border area between China and Pakistan. 万方数据资源系统,
KHAN, B., HUSSAIN, E., MUNDKUR, T., ABBAS, S., & KHAN, G. (2011). Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola
bacchus: an addition to the avifauna of Pakistan.
Khan, B., Khan, M. Z., Ali, R., Khan, G., Ali, F., & Ali, M. (2012). Shimshal Pamir Lakes: a prospective
high altitude wetlands site for transboundary collaboration between China and Pakistan.
Rec. Zool. Surv. Pak, 21, 1-9.
Mishra, C. (1993). Habitat use by goral in Majhatal Arsang Wildlife Sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh. M.
Sc. thesis, Saurashtra University, Rajkot,
Nawaz, M. A., Hameed, S., & Team, S. L. R. L. A. RESEARCH UPDATE 2008-2014.
Ning, W., Shaoliang, Y., Joshi, S., & Bisht, N. (2016). Yak on the move: transboundary challenges and
opportunities for yak raising in a changing Hindu Kush Himalayan region: International
Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).
Shackleton, D. M. (1997). Wild sheep and goats and their relatives: IUCN.
Zafar, M., Khan, B., Khan, E., Garee, A., Khan, A., Rehmat, A., . . . Hussain, E. (2014). Abundance
Distribution and Conservation of Key Ungulate Species in Hindu Kush Karakoram and
Western Himalayan (HKH) Mountain Ranges of Pakistan. International Journal of Agriculture
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