Game Reserves of Pakistan and its Protection

Game reserves are areas of land that are set aside for the conservation of wildlife and for recreational activities such as game viewing, hunting, and photography. Unlike national parks, game reserves often allow hunting and other activities that are restricted in national parks. Game reserves can be public or private and are typically managed by wildlife conservation organizations, government agencies, or private landowners.

In some countries, game reserves are an important part of wildlife conservation efforts, as they provide a source of income for local communities and encourage the sustainable use of natural resources. However, in other countries, game reserves have been criticized for promoting unsustainable hunting practices and contributing to the decline of wildlife populations.

Importance of Game reserves

Game reserves are important for several reasons, including:

• Conservation of wildlife: 

Game reserves provide a safe and protected habitat for wildlife species to live and breed. By limiting human activities in these areas, game reserves help to reduce the impact of habitat destruction, poaching, and other threats to wildlife populations.

• Preservation of natural habitats: 

Game reserves help to preserve natural habitats, such as forests, grasslands, wetlands, and rivers that are essential for the survival of wildlife species. By protecting these habitats, game reserves help to maintain the biodiversity and ecological balance of the area.

• Tourism and recreation: 

Game reserves provide opportunities for tourism and recreation, such as game viewing, hunting, and photography. These activities generate income for local communities and support the conservation efforts of the reserve.

• Education and research: 

Game reserves provide opportunities for education and research on wildlife conservation and natural resource management. By promoting public awareness of the importance of wildlife conservation and supporting scientific research, game reserves help to advance knowledge and understanding of the natural world.

• Sustainable use of natural resources: 

Game reserves promote the sustainable use of natural resources by regulating activities such as hunting, fishing, and tourism. By setting limits on the number of animals that can be hunted or the number of visitors that can enter the reserve, game reserves help to ensure that natural resources are used in a way that does not harm the environment or threaten wildlife populations.

Overall, game reserves play an important role in protecting and conserving wildlife and their habitats, promoting sustainable use of natural resources, generating income for local communities, and advancing knowledge and understanding of the natural world.

List of Game Reserves of Pakistan

Abbasia	Killan
Askor Nallah	Kot Zabzai
Bahawalpur Plantation	Machiara
Bhon Fazil	Makhnial
Bhono	Mando Dero
Bilyamin	Mang
Bund Khush Dil Khan	Mirpur Sakro
Chashma Barrage	Moji
Chassi/Baushdar	Mori Said Ali
Chaupalia	Nar/Ghoro Nallah
Cholistan	Nara
Danyor Nallah	Nazbar
Darosh Gol	Nizampur
Daulana	Pai
Deh Jangisar	Pakora
Deh Sahib Saman	Parit Gol/Ghinar Gol
Diljabba-Domeli	Qazi Nag
Dosu Forest	Rahri Bungalow
Gat Wala	Resi
Gehrait Gol	Sher Qillah
Ghamot	Surjan, Sumbak, Eri and Hothiano
Gogi	Swegali
Goleen Gol	Tando Mitha Khan
Head Qadirabad	Tangir
Jabbar	Teri/Isak Khumari
Kala Chitta	Thal
Kathar	Thanedar Wala
Khari Murat	Totali
Kazinag	Vatala
Khipro	Wam
Kilik/Mintaka	Zangi Nawar

Protection of Game Reserves

The protection of game reserves is critical for the preservation of wildlife and their habitats. Here are some key ways that game reserves are protected:

Legal Protection: 

Game reserves are typically protected by national and/or local laws and regulations that prohibit hunting, poaching, and other activities that harm wildlife or their habitats. In Pakistan, the wildlife protection laws include the Pakistan Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Management) Ordinance, 1979 and the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997. These laws provide legal protection to wildlife and their habitats and impose penalties for violations.

Wildlife Conservation: 

Wildlife conservation is a critical aspect of game reserve protection. Game reserves are managed to conserve and protect wildlife, including endangered species. This involves monitoring wildlife populations, restoring habitats, and reintroducing endangered species into the wild. For example, the Lal Suhanra National Park in Punjab, Pakistan, is home to a breeding program for the endangered Indus River dolphin.

Community Involvement: 

Local communities play a crucial role in the protection of game reserves. They are often involved in the management of the reserves and can provide valuable information on wildlife populations and the state of the habitats. They may also be employed in ecotourism activities or as park rangers. Involving local communities in the management of game reserves can also help to reduce conflict between humans and wildlife.

Ecotourism: 

Many game reserves rely on ecotourism as a source of revenue and to promote conservation efforts. Ecotourism activities such as guided tours, wildlife watching, and camping can provide economic benefits to local communities while also promoting conservation efforts. Ecotourism also raises awareness about the importance of protecting wildlife and their habitats.

Law Enforcement: 

Effective law enforcement is essential for protecting game reserves from illegal activities such as poaching, hunting, and habitat destruction. Park rangers and other law enforcement officials play a critical role in protecting game reserves by patrolling the reserves, monitoring wildlife populations, and enforcing wildlife protection laws. In Pakistan, the wildlife protection department and forest department are responsible for law enforcement in game reserves.

Overall, the protection of game reserves requires a comprehensive approach that involves legal protection, wildlife conservation, community involvement, law enforcement, and ecotourism. By working together, we can ensure that game reserves and their wildlife are protected for future generations.