Sights & Sounds

Gojal Conservancy

The Mountain Area Conservancy Project (MACP) initiated in 1998 as a 7 years project and closed during 2006. The project is funded by GEF/UNDP, and being executed by IUCN Pakistan. WWF – Pakistan is implementing the environmental education component of MACP. The project was aimed to protect the rich biological heritage of the Karakuram, Hindukush and the Western Himalayan Mountain Ranges through community – based conservation approach. In order to achieve its targets the MACP offered a comprehensive package of interventions to address threats to biodiversity. The project focused on empowering local communities to manage the ecosystem and natural resources and making them accountable for the quality of their stewardship. Gojal area was also among the four main consrvencies.

The Gojal Conservancy lies in the Karakoram Range, at its point of intersection with the Pamirs in Afghanistan and China and has an area of 2000 Km². It has a population of 3l827. This site includes permanent snowfields, alpine meadows and dry alpine habitat. It is contiguous to the Khunjerab National Park (2269 square kilometres). Gulmit was initially not included in the conservancy of Gojal but during 2006 Gulmit also included. Three rare ungulate species are found, namely the endangered Marco Polo Sheep, Tibetan Wild Ass and the Blue Sheep. These species use seasonal home ranges and groups drift between Pakistan, Afghanistan and China. The animals are restricted to high grounds above 4000 metres in elevation. The area supports a good population of Snow Leopards. Among large birds, the Lammergeier, Golden Eagle, Alpine Chough, the Himalayan Snowcock and Chukar are found.  

Back to nature, sights & sounds

© copyrights Zulfiqar Ali Khan All rights reserved-2006