Khirthar National Park
Baseline Environmental Study

Summary

This chapter provides an introduction to the physical and biological characteristics, human activities, infrastructure and current management practises for the Khirthar National Park as a necessary background to the presentation of the results of the Baseline Environmental Study. It details the areas of investigation within the Baseline Study, the Terms of Reference and the Scope of Services. Highlighted are several key points about the study:

1. It seeks to provide detailed field-based scientific and social-scientific information and interpretation that can be used subsequently in the development of a park management plan.

2. It seeks to establish a spatially-explicit relational database (a geographic information system), and to provide relevant training to Sindh Wildlife Department staff, so that the results of this study form the beginnings of a data system that can be added to over the coming years through further study of the park and its resources by SWD staff and collaborating scientists.

3. It seeks to build capacity in the local scientific and government communities, especially in areas un- (or under-) represented in current park management activities.

4. It recognises the importance of people as a part of the park ecosystem, and the need to consider the human activities that take place in the park in relation to the distribution, abundance, and future viability of the parks natural resources. The following eight chapters describe, individually, the results of the Baseline investigation.

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