“GREEN AND GOLD CHOLISTAN DESERT”

Written by: Iftikhar Khan(Mashal)

A few days ago, I had the opportunity to visit Bahawalpur for the Cholistan, Bahawalpur. During my visit, I learned about the remarkable contributions of the United Arab Emirates to Pakistan and its people. The UAE has undertaken numerous valuable projects in Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan, considering Pakistan its second home and extending its services for the welfare and development of the country.

At the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Conservation Breeding Centre (CBC), Lal Suhanra National Park, Bahawalpur, I witnessed the keen interest and dedication devoted to this important project. This provides an opportunity to briefly introduce the Houbara Foundation International Pakistan (HFIP), which is particularly committed to the conservation of the Houbara and, more broadly, to the protection of wildlife.

The Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Conservation Breeding Centre (CBC), Lal Suhanra National Park, Bahawalpur, was established on 18 March 2015, after HFIP and the Deer Foundation International Pakistan (DFIP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of Punjab, through the Forest Department.

The CBC is the only centre of its kind in Pakistan. It covers an area of 147.5 square kilometres (4,750 hectares). The entire area is enclosed by fencing for its protection and is equipped with all the necessary facilities required to achieve its objectives. The primary purpose of the centre is to promote the breeding of Chinkara and Blackbuck in semi-wild conditions, conserve the flora and fauna of the Cholistan Desert, and conduct research on the Houbara Bustard. The Need for Such a Centre in Pakistan

According to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Pakistan, the growing population and continuously increasing infrastructure requirements have resulted in the destruction of animal habitats and forests. As a consequence, various species of animals and plants in Pakistan are gradually becoming extinct. Other factors contributing to this serious situation include climate change and the neglect of conservation efforts for endangered species of animals, birds, and plants.

In these difficult circumstances, HFIP and DFIP began working for the conservation of these species. Their efforts to protect endangered wildlife eventually took shape in the establishment of the CBC. Their work is certainly commendable and deserves support and appreciation.

Facilities at the Centre:

The centre is located in an area protected by a 10-foot-high chain-link fence and is equipped with the following modern facilities:

1. Residential accommodation for officers, veterinary doctors, staff, and 100 guards.
2. An office and research centre building.
3. A guest house.
4. An RO plant to provide water for the entire workforce.
5. A solar power plant to provide electricity to all the buildings.
6. A mosque.
7. A wildlife check post in the southern part of the enclosure, along with staff and officers’ residences, for better control and security.
8. Twenty-four watchtowers, with security personnel present around the clock to protect the enclosure. Each watchtower has a guard room measuring 14 × 14 feet, along with a kitchen and bathroom on its roof.
9. The watchtowers are equipped with wireless communication sets, along with solar chargers, so that any important information can be communicated to the base without delay.
10. In addition to security from the watchtowers, teams of wildlife security guards also patrol along the fence at night.

Revival of Chinkara and Blackbuc. The Houbara Foundation has breathed new life into the declining populations of Chinkara and Blackbuck, and these endangered species are once again beginning to flourish.

These remarkable animals are of fundamental importance to the CBC. Inside the centre, young Blackbuck and Chinkara can be seen, which is an encouraging sign of successful conservation and breeding efforts.

Research on the Houbara Bustard is also conducted inside the enclosure.

The Houbara Bustard is a resident species of Pakistan and is also bred in Abu Dhabi. These birds are regularly released into the enclosure. Some Houbara Bustards are retained within the CBC for research purposes by university students and other scientists. The foremost objective of the Foundation is the conservation of the flora and fauna of the Cholistan Desert. The centre has been completely protected from harmful and unauthorized activities. As a result, local vegetation has flourished inside the enclosure. This vegetation serves as food for a large number of animals and provides natural shelter for birds. The favourable environment inside the CBC provides breeding opportunities for many birds found in the Cholistan Desert. These include Shikra, various species of herons, Cattle Egrets, Little Egrets, Pond Herons, eagles, doves, pigeons, sandgrouse, mynas, peacocks, bee-eaters, butterflies, and many others. The flora of the Cholistan Desert is also flourishing. Recently, ber and kikar trees have been added to the enclosure to further increase the vegetation.

The results of all these efforts have been highly encouraging.Once a sufficiently large population has been established within the enclosure, these ungulates will be released into their natural wild habitats.

A Few Moments at Dittay Wala Toba. In an extension of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Conservation Breeding Centre at Lal Suhanra National Park, Bahawalpur, there is a toba—a natural rainwater pond—called Dittay Wala Toba. We spent some time there.

The sun was setting in the west. As I watched the setting sun, a line from a poet came to mind:

«“Is there such indifference that no one even tries to save the sun as it sets?”»

On the other side was the toba, surrounded by such profound silence that one could hardly hear even the slightest sound.

At that moment, another thought came to me:

«“You love solitude, and I love you in solitude.”»

There were trees on the far side of the toba, where birds were chirping. Around the pond were footprints of deer and Chinkara, showing that they came there to drink water. It was a rain-fed pond, which is generally filled by rainwater. However, at that time, its water level had fallen considerably.

An Unexpected Conversation with a Dove. During our school days, we learn and imitate many childish things. That day, the child within me also came out.

I imitated the call of a dove. Major Liaquat and the other officials watched my childish act with amusement and enjoyment.

Then, suddenly, a dove—known locally as Kaghi—sitting on a tree across the pond responded to my call in its own language.

Everyone was even more surprised. After a few minutes, I imitated the dove’s call once again, and the bird responded in exactly the same manner. I repeated the act three times, and on all three occasions, the dove responded to me, as if deliberately answering my call.

Saying Goodbye to the Toba.

After spending some time at Chaklair Wala Toba, it was finally time to leave. Although I did not feel like going, the sun had already disappeared below the horizon. Only the reddish traces left behind by the setting sun remained in the sky. Cholistan was preparing to wrap itself in the shawl of a grey night. Meanwhile, the moon had also risen in all its splendour.

As we began to leave, Major Liaq said:

«“Iftikhar Sahib, make the call once more and say goodbye.”»

I imitated the dove’s call twice. The dove responded to my voice once again, almost as if it too were saying goodbye.

A Beautiful Memory. The entire scene was photographed by Mr. Fazal Awan, who thoroughly enjoyed the experience. He remarked that Prophet Sulemon (peace be upon him) was blessed with the ability to understand the language of birds and to communicate with them as well.

I replied:

«“Today, the Sunnah of Prophet Sulemon (peace be upon him) has been fulfilled through me.”»

Although I may or may not have understood the language of the dove, I still wondered what the dove understood when it responded to my voice.

It was a beautiful coincidence. That moment became a bead in the rosary of memories—one that will always remain with me.

Concluding Thoughts on the Houbara Foundation. Coming to the concluding words about the Houbara Foundation, the efforts of HFIP and DFIP, with the technical assistance provided by the Government of Punjab, in the fields of conservation and research are truly commendable.

The Conservation Breeding Centre (CBC) has become a centre of attraction for tourists who wish to enjoy the natural environment of the Cholistan Desert and for those interested in wildlife.