{"id":38198,"date":"2023-12-21T18:42:09","date_gmt":"2023-12-21T18:42:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/invasive-species-imperil-pakistans-only-marine-protected-island-the-express-tribune\/"},"modified":"2023-12-21T18:42:09","modified_gmt":"2023-12-21T18:42:09","slug":"invasive-species-imperil-pakistans-only-marine-protected-island-the-express-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/invasive-species-imperil-pakistans-only-marine-protected-island-the-express-tribune\/","title":{"rendered":"Invasive species imperil Pakistan\u2019s only marine protected island | The Express Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nKARACHI:
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

A rising population of feral animals and invasive plants on Astola, Pakistan\u2019s only marine protected island, is posing a growing threat to its rich but fragile biodiversity, with some rare seabird species almost eliminated, environmentalists warn.<\/p>\n

Located in the northern part of the Arabian Sea, east of Pasni district in the southwestern Balochistan province, Astola is the country\u2019s largest offshore island and only marine protected area known for its rich marine biodiversity.<\/p>\n

The island is one of the world\u2019s largest breeding sites of the yellow-billed tern, a small seabird found in Latin America, apart from supporting a large variety of water birds such as coursers, gulls and plovers.<\/p>\n

Its glistening beaches are also nesting grounds for the endangered green turtle and hawksbill turtle, while the Astola saw-scaled viper, a subspecies of the Russell\u2019s viper is endemic to this small island, according to Muhammad Moazzam Khan, a technical adviser for WWF-Pakistan.<\/p>\n

Read also:\u00a0Green turtles fight to survive against Pakistan’s urban sprawl<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

However, a gradual increase in the number of stray cats, as well as rats, has resulted in a rapid decline in the population of turtles and seabirds in recent years.<\/p>\n

They are attacking and killing nesting seabirds, while also damaging and eating their eggs, according to experts.<\/p>\n

\u201cAstola is known to be the world\u2019s largest breeding colony of the yellow-billed tern, but cats have now eliminated the bird from the island,\u201d Khan told Anadolu<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany seabirds, especially terns, used to make thousands of nests on isolated rocky platforms and ledges all across the island, but this is no longer the case as these feral animals have wreaked havoc on the island\u2019s already fragile biodiversity.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018Ferocious hunters\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cats are not part of the natural fauna of Astola and were actually brought there by local fishermen to hunt rats.<\/p>\n

According to Khan, a local fisherman released a pair of cats on the island in the 1970s to control rat population, which was feasting on seabirds and migratory quails.<\/p>\n

The rats would attack seabirds\u2019 nests, while also damaging fishing nets and other equipment laid out by sailors.<\/p>\n

Read: Illegal fishing imperils aqua life<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cRather than protecting the nests and fishing nets, these cats have turned out to be a permanent nemesis,\u201d Khan said.<\/p>\n

He said they are \u201cnocturnal and ferocious hunters that have become the top predator of the island,\u201d adding that they even feed on reptiles including skinks and agamas.<\/p>\n

\u201cAstola, which was once a crowded bird colony, is deserted today. The few birds that still nest here are careful to do so on the detached rocks off the island\u2019s southern shore,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u2018Difficult to control\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

As part of efforts to protect the island\u2019s biodiversity, WWF-Pakistan launched a program to exterminate the cats in 2012, culling at least 18 adult cats.<\/p>\n

However, the current number on the island is estimated to be more than 50.<\/p>\n

\u201cTheir population is difficult to control because of their nocturnal habits and the island\u2019s treacherous terrain, which makes it extremely difficult to track them down,\u201d Khan explained.<\/p>\n

Invasive plants like mesquite are also spreading rapidly on the island, covering a part of its southern section and smothering other plant species.<\/p>\n

The exotic shrub, which is drought tolerant and has deep roots, was first spotted on the island in 2010.<\/p>\n

Also read: Forest fire imperils wildlife in Soon Valley<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

According to Shabina Faraz, a Karachi-based environmentalist, mesquite can be an \u201caggressive invader\u201d that replaces native vegetation very quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is an urgent need to develop and implement a plan for eradication of invasive plant and animal species to restore the natural habitat of the Astola island,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Sharifuddin Baloch, chief conservator at the Balochistan Wildlife and Forest Department, said a fresh survey will soon be carried out to ascertain the extent of the problem before chalking out a future course of action.<\/p>\n

Currently, there is an awareness campaign ongoing to persuade local fishermen to stop dumping fishing nets or garbage on the island, which is a major factor in all of this, he told Anadolu<\/em>.<\/p>\n

A field station is also being set up at Pasni to monitor and evaluate the situation in terms of biodiversity loss, he added, acknowledging that some \u201curgent steps\u201d are required to mitigate threats that have spiralled due to years of neglect.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n