URBAN FLORA OF PAKISTANURBAN FLORA OF PAKISTAN

Presented by:

SAAD FAROOQIBS 6th Semester

Department of Environmental and Conservation Sciences

University of Swat

(Session 2012-16) 1

Urban Flora Urban Flora is the plants life occurring in a particular area or time,( i.e. Plants In city or town) generally the naturally occurring or indigenous—native plant life.

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Urban Flora of Pakistan

• Pakistan's native flora reflects its varied climatic zones, which range from arid and semi-arid to temperate and tropical.

• About 6,000 plants species estimated in Pakistan, it was estimated that there is 465 such species endemic in urban areas of Pakistan,  Around 700 plant species are endangered.

• In Pakistan, Urban flora provide multiple services and

environmental benefits to urban environment.3

Urban flora exists in different habitats of Pakistan:

• Roadside verges: Have the largest area and population of trees in

roadside verges in Pakistan.Grass or plants species and sometimes also trees

located between the roadway.Overwhelmingly dominated by native broadleaved

trees occupying 70% of its species.

(Islamabad Roadside verges)

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Cont.• Public parks: The urban public parks in Pakistan are varied

significantly in the terms of area, age, and species-count and management pattern.

These parks include many exotic or introduced species.

Some famous Pakistan public parks are Rose and jasmine garden Islamabad, Aladdin park Karachi, Jungle world Rawalpindi, National bank park Lahore, Flora park Lahore, and Sozo water park Lahore.

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Cont.• Residential streets: Street trees are important part of urban

greenery in Pakistan.The common trees in streets of Pakistan are

Morus alba, Eugenia jambolana, Punica granatum.

• Graveyards: graveyards mainly include shade trees.Graveyards are relatively protected habitats,

offer an opportunity to study old and undisturbed vegetation in urban areas.• Institutions: The institutions contributed

significantly to urban forest diversity in Pakistan. 6

Cont.• The photograph shown below is that of huge

tree standing majestically in Abbottabd, planted somewhere around 1850.

• Poaceae is one of the largest families of flowering plants. It consist of 492 species In Pakistan. And mainly found in streets and roadside verges. 7

Vegetation communities, green belts and parks in Major cities:• Islamabad:

Well-developed flora rich in abundance and variety.

Due to high-quality city planning, the native flora is not much affected by the population.

Greenway concept in Islamabad evolved from 1960’s strategies for beautifying roads to improve the landscape quality.

Total 793 species reportedHaving large green spaces and park areas,

and high urban settlements.That’s why Islamabad capital declared as

world’s 2nd most beautiful capital after London. 8

Cont.• Lahore: Diverse range of natural and cultivated

flora. Much of the Indian flora was introduced

during the reign of Akbar, the third Mughal emperor.

Most of green belts of Lahore are decorated by extensive flora.

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Cont.• Karachi:Karachi can be divided into four sections in terms of

floral regimes describes as under:

• Eastern boundaries: Malir river and its adjoining sites, having diversity bushes,shrubs,trees & agriculture products.

• Southern boundaries: Having diversity vegetations, shrubs and wild kekar trees.

• Northern boundaries: Surrounded by High Seas of Indian ocean, large variety of mangrove vegetation.

• Western boundaries: nearby coastal areas, and also have natural mangrove vegetation.

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Urban flora declining in Pakistan:

Unplanned urbanization has resulted in the destruction of natural ecosystems in Pakistan.

I.e. Habitats such as parks, lawn, gardens.

Increase in population and demand of land for infrastructure resulted in destruction of vegetation and planting sites.

Due to illegal cutting of trees.

In Pakistan, unregulated urban development and large scale commercialization damaging urban tree-scape of cities causing serious environmental issues. 11

Management of Flora in Urban Areas:

• Urban Forestry:

Careful care and management of urban forests. i.e tree populations in urban settings, support appropriate trees and flora preservation.

Urban foresters practiced by municipal and commercial arborists, environmental policy makers, utility foresters, researchers, and community activists.

Pakistan need urban forestry for the management of urban floras and more plantations to improve the environment.

Their survival and development depends upon the public awareness and acceptance of their benefits.

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