PJB-2017-899
FLORISTIC DIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION STATUS OF HEAD MARALLA AREA, PUNJAB, PAKISTAN
MUHAMMAD SAJJAD IQBAL
Abstract
Pakistan is endowed with great biodiversity of various plant species due to varied climatic and edaphic factors. The land area is consisting of 97.13%, 2.87% with water, 1046 km of coastal line out of total 881,912 Km2. Head Maralla area is situated at the border of two districts Gujrat and Sialkot of Punjab Province, Pakistan. The area is unprotected wetland and home to many seasonal plants. One hundred and fifty species were collected, identified and documented belonging to 60 families including 103 species of dicot, 23 monocot, 04 ferns, 16 aquatic species and 04 belongs to bryophytes. It was observed that unexpected rain causes flood which damages side banks of the Head Maralla head works, tree and small sized vegetation becomes immersed, while catchment area seems to be fully flooded by all rivers. It was also noted that post monsoon proved more devastated for vegetation as compared to regular monsoon. The big challenges of the area are of unexpected flood, erosion, wetland, grazing and anthropogenic activities. It is concluded that possible opportunities like timely information system (flood forecasting), involvement of local inhabitant and working relations with irrigation department could be strengthen to keep ethno botanical knowledge alive and to devise conservation strategies for the area.
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