1. International Union for Conservation of Nature
Threats to turtle population along the
coast of Balochistan
Asghar Shah
District Coordinator Gwader
IUCN- Pakistan

2. International Union for Conservation of Nature
Presentation Outline Out look
• Coastal Line of Balochistan
• Reported Nesting Sites of Marine
Turtle on Balochistan Coast
• Threats to Marine Turtle
population
• Conservation Work of Marine
Turtle
• Case Study
• Recommendation

3. International Union for Conservation of Nature
The Coastline of Balochistan
• The Balochistan coast extends from
the mouth of the Hub River on the
coast to the middle of Gwater Bay in
the west and stretches on a distance
of about 710km. The coastline can be
classified as follows:
– Embayed Coast:
– Khalifa Bay, `Gadani Bay, Bayal
Ras Malan, Ormara East and
West Bays, Pasni Bay, Gwader
East and West Bays, Bay at Ras
Gunz and Gwatar Bay.
– Tide Lagoons:
– Miani Hor at Sonmiani Bay and
Kalmat Khor.
– Esturies of seasonal Rivers:
– Hub River, Porali River, Basol
River, Hingol River. Shadikaur
and Dasht River.

4. International Union for Conservation of Nature
Marine Turtles in Balochistan
• Nesting Turtle
• Green Turtle
(Chelonia mydas)
• Olive ridleys
(Lepidochelys
olivacea)
Courtesy : ZSD
Courtesy : ZSD

5. International Union for Conservation of Nature
Marine Turtles in Balochistan
• Visiting Turtle
• The leatherback turtle is among
five species of marine turtles
reported to occur in the territorial
waters of Pakistan (Ghalib and
Zaidi 1976), but its nesting has not
been recorded (Ghalib and Zaidi
1976).
• Hawksbill Turtle
• Loggerhead Turtle
• Leather back Turtle

6. International Union for Conservation of Nature
Reported Turtle Nesting Sites
•
1. Dedalloo Taak
2. Shaheed Taak
3. Rendani Taak
4. Makka Taak
5. Peshukan West Beach
6. Kapessi Beach Gwader
7. Darang Beach Gwader
8. Surbandar Beach Gwader
9. Karwat Beach
10. Zarrain Beach Pasni
11. Juddi Beach Pasni
12. Astola Island Beach 1
13. Astola Island Beach-2
14. Ormara Turtle Beach (Taak-1-2)
15. Hingol National Park
Courtesy PWP- Gwader
Courtesy PWP- Gwader

7. International Union for Conservation of Nature
Map of Turtle Nesting Sites

8. International Union for Conservation of Nature
Man-made Threats
• Sand Mining for Construction,
• Beach armours (protection wall)
• Beach lighting
• Poaching of Turtle Eggs
• Utilization of eggs for livestock
and Human consumption
• Medicinal Use (Asthma)
• Blood of Turtle Used for Paralysis
Patients
• Gill Nest and Long line
• Trawling
• Ghost Net
• Plastic Bags
• Beach Picnickers
• Oil Pollution
Courtesy PWP- Gwader
Courtesy PWP- Gwader
Courtesy PWP- Gwader

9. International Union for Conservation of Nature
Natural Threats
• Beach Erosion
• Climate Change
• Feeding Habitat Destruction
• Disease
• Threats from Dogs, Foxes and
Cats
• Sea Gulls
• Ghost Crab
Courtesy PWP- Gwader
Courtesy PWP- Gwader

10. International Union for Conservation of Nature
Conservation Work of Marine Turtle on Balochistan
Coast
• WWF Pakistan Started work on
marine turtle at Daran Beach in
1997
• Pakistan Wetland Program
Gwader started working on Marine
Turtle on 2 sites of Daran beach
• Tagging program
• Satellite tagging program

11. International Union for Conservation of Nature
Case Study: Daran Conservation Committee Gwader
• Daran Conservation Committee
(DCC) working closely with WWF
Pakistan from 1997 to date
• DCC also working with Pakistan
Wetland Program on 2 nesting
sites.
• The community engaged in
1. Monitoring the beach
2. Protect turtle nests with
enclosures
3. Keeping record of nests,
inventory of hatchlings
4. Release hatchling in the sea.
Courtesy PWP- Gwader
Courtesy PWP- Gwader

12. International Union for Conservation of Nature
Community participation

13. International Union for Conservation of Nature
Good bye

14. International Union for Conservation of Nature
Recommendations
• Updated baseline
• Development of turtle
conservation plan
• Promotion of scientific studies to
achieve clear understanding on
population dynamics of (Olive
ridley)
• Establishment of a network to
operate cohesively with the
Government bodies , research
organizations and groups working
for the conservation at local,
national and international levels
Courtesy: PWP Gwd

15. International Union for Conservation of Nature
Thank You