Desert comes to life: 200 Kg seeds broadcast in Cholistan to restore wildlife

By Asim Shahzad

LAHORE: Pakistan Army and Houbara Foundation International Pakistan jointly broadcasted seeds of desert plants over the Cholistan Desert this morning for the 27th consecutive year.

Wildlife habitats are being degraded the world over because of wood-cutting by local communities and over-grazing by their livestock. Consequently, wild animals and birds are unable to find their favourite foods in sufficient quantities, resulting in their rapid decline and ecological imbalances.

In 1998, Houbara Foundation International Pakistan in collaboration with Pakistan Army undertook to reinforce the diminishing vegetation through aerial broadcast of seeds of desert plants in the Cholistan Desert, which is the prime wintering habitat of the Houbara Bustard and other species.

Over 200 kg seeds of local plants and grasses have been broadcasted this year bringing the total seeds broadcast in the last 27 years to over 3327 kg. Regular monitoring of the habitat shows encouraging results, and higher yields of germination are expected as the work goes on.

Restoration of complete habitats is a long and laborious task. But, with dedicated support of Pakistan Army, Houbara Foundation aims at continuing to work on this project and restore the ecological balance by reinforcing the desert vegetation and building up populations of the wildlife species found in the Cholistan Desert.