Role of indigenous knowledge in conservation of biodiversity in Punjnad region of South Punjab (Pakistan)

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Research Paper 01/03/2019
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Role of indigenous knowledge in conservation of biodiversity in Punjnad region of South Punjab (Pakistan)

Muhammad Rauf, Omar Riaz, Muhammad Mobeen, Tehmina Aziz, Sidra Bashir, Abdur Rehman, Taswar Abbas, Muhammad Nadeem Abid, Faheem Ul Hasnain
J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 14(3), 24-32, March 2019.
Copyright Statement: Copyright 2019; The Author(s).
License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Abstract

The research reported in the study focuses on exploring the existing indigenous knowledge and local population impact on flora and fauna of Punjnad Region, Southern Punjab. Conservation of biodiversity is being taken as protecting the life in its every possible form around the Globe. Special attentions are given on awareness building, attitude, behavior change and action of the people towards. Data was collected through semi structured questionnaires and interviews. Landsat images of last 26 years were acquired on spatial-temporal bases for the years i.e 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2015. Supervised classification and NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) were used to measure the scope and thickness of vegetation. The study findings showed that during the last 26 years from 1990 to 2015, vegetation cover and barren land has been decreased 25% and 6% respectively. The agriculture land was increased about 29%. The study indicate that forest cutting, destruction of natural habitat for the agriculture purposes, hunting and killing of wild animals were the main factors in degradation of the biodiversity. In this article the present threats and challenges faced by biodiversity are highlighted. The findings of the study will be helpful for future conservation of various species in the study area.

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