5. Threats

Canal is distributed from Sorah (Sukkur) to Head Jamrao about 108,960 hectares and Nara Canal was declared in 1972 as a Game Reserve area for the protection of wild animals. The NDWC is also recognized as an essential potential Ramsar Site [1–5]. The different floral habitation distributed in the Nara Desert includes phytoplankton, reed vegetation, herbs, shrubs and trees. The area is ecologically-rich with the faunal biodiversity which includes zooplankton, invertebrates, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, small and large mammals. The NDWC has received high economic, social, floral and faunal habitats, and aquatic biodiversity values because the local communities are directly or indirectly dependent on these natural sustainable resources [1–4, 7,

In the area the water quality and recharged by the Nara Canal is mainly sweet and acceptable ranges of TDS between 500 and 800 ppm except hypersaline lakes. The hypersaline water of desert area is mainly observed brackish which have TDS between 10,000 and 28,000 pp. [5, 36]. The climate of the area is mainly arid having high temperatures and late summer rains observed. The seasonal rainfall is varied and is less than 250–300 mm and rainy season usually starts from June to September. Before the monsoon season, the average temperature is exceeding 45C in the desert region and in the plains of NDWS the average temperature between 30 and 40C. The wetland complex is recognized of great hydrological values as 98% Nara Canal water is used for agriculture and only 2% water is used for domestic and drinking purposes. The wetland complex of Nara Canal is 361.6 km long and 90–135 m wide. The maximum water depth of wetland complex is 7.5 m. The highest water discharges of Nara Canal are reported in

The assessment of physicochemical parameters such as pH and alkalinity revealed that the lake water has mostly remained alkaline during the whole study period except the Nara Canal station due to its input of rain water. The range of hardness was higher in most of the selected lakes of NDWC. The acceptable level of hardness in lake waters is recognized as 200 mg/L by the World Health Organization [34]. The physicochemical parameters of Na and Mg, as well as

the months of May–July and the minimum water flow in the August [1–4, 7].

29, 35] (Figure 7).

76 Community and Global Ecology of Deserts

Figure 7. A view of Nara Canal Khairpur.

Hunting: In the study area, the hunting for recreation is observed common and uncontrolled. However, the region is protected but there is no effective implementation of the wildlife laws for the wild animals. Due to hunting pressure, this is also leading to imbalance between the predator and prey species.

Foraging of Livestock: The large amount of grazing livestock in the area together with the recent climatic changes is degrading the food chain in the ecosystem dynamics.

Cutting trees: In the study area, the cutting of trees in the adjoining desert region for continuous practice of conversion of lands into agricultural fields which is affecting the wild population.

Developmental activities: In this modern era the human population is increasing in higher rate and habitation, the developmental activities in the region and conversion of land for the purpose of agriculture has been damaging the wild habitat and ultimately increasing stress on the existing wildlife.

Acronyms and Abbreviations

EC electrical conductivity

TDS total dissolved solids

Tem temperature

Tur turbidity

Ca calcium

Mg magnesium

Hard hardness

HCO carbonate

Alkal alkalinity

Cl chlorides

Na sodium

SO4 sulfate

Author details

Sindh, Pakistan

Muhammad Saleem Chang

K potassium

BOD biological oxygen demand

NDWC Nara Desert wetland complex

WHO World Health Organization

WWF Worldwide Fund for Nature

Address all correspondence to: saleem\_khan74@yahoo.com

Department of Science and Technical Education, University of Sindh Jamshoro, Jamshoro,

Ecological and Environmental Assessment of Nara Desert Wetland Complex (NDWC), Khairpur, Sindh-Pakistan

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.78623

79

DO dissolved oxygen

HCO3 bi-carbonate

pH pH

Recommendation:

Controlled hunting: To control the hunting the check posts should be established for keeping vigilance at important points on uncontrolled hunting. Due to shortage of infrastructure in Sindh Wildlife Department like as transport system and staff failed to stop hunting so that the officials must enhance staff and transport. The Wildlife authorities must consider strengthening of Sindh Wildlife Department in the region.

Ecotourism: The area of Nara Wetland Complex is a best site for promoting ecotourism. For sighting of wildlife and bird watching the watch towers at potential points and other facilities should be developed for promoting community based conservation tourism. The people of local community should be participated and benefited from all this tourism activates. From local community the youth should be trained as a volunteers and co-guides. These health activities will provide the incentives to the local community as a source of income generating activity and an alternative livelihood source.

Promote participatory wildlife management and conservation: For promoting participation in wildlife management and conservation the institutional capacity of community based organizations in the region should be developed.
