Houbara Bustard, Provincial Bird of Balochistan

Houbara Bustard with her chicks

Houbara bustard is provincial bird of Balochistan. This is an endangered bird. There are two types of houbara bastard; indigenous and migratory.  Migratory Houbara Bastard starts arriving in Balochistan (Washuk, Khuzdar, Lasbela, Nushki, Dalbindin, Zhob, Ormara, Gwadar, Pasni, Panjgur, Dera Bugti, Dera Murad Jamali, Chaghai and Sibi) from the Mongolia, Siberia and Central Asian Republics at the start of the winter season (November and December) as the temperature drops below freezing point in these areas and return back in March and April. Experts have estimated that number of these migratory birds entering Balochistan is about 15,000-20,000. The bird takes only seven to ten days while covering about 5,5O0 kilometers from Siberia and Central Asian Republics to Balochistan and flies at a height of 4,000 meters. Houbara Bastard travels in groups with a leader, others follow him in a row. Once they lose their leader, the deputy guides the group to reach its destination. Houbara is a very sensitive bird and does not use the route again if they sense any danger on their way during the first journey. In case the houbara loses its mate, it takes three to five years to find a new one. Its population is declining due to illegal hunting and destruction of its habitats. The rapid increase in population is also affecting the bird’s habitat and breading grounds.  Houbara gives birth to only two chicks a year, but the elder kills the younger one due to the fear of sharing food. Interestingly, this rivalry between the houbara newborns is also one of the factors of their gradual decrease.
 Nag Rakshan Valley in district Washuk in Balochistan is only place in Pakistan where residential houbara bustard is found. Rakhshan provides rich diversity of flora, fauna, insects and weeds to this endangered, modest and shy bird. A plant local called Kareech in Balochi is abundantly found here. Its flowers and leaves are favorite food & breeding habitat for houbara bustard. Due to non availability of other sources of fuel, the local community of Rakshan valley uses this plant to burn it in their kitchen so putting its existence to severe danger. The population of residential bird has been reduced drastically in the area due to hunting by Arab hunters (because they value its meat as an aphrodisiac) and due to domestic abuse (illegal netting, trapping and poaching) as well as exploitation of its habitat. Houbara Protection Organization is an NGO in district Washuk to protest hunting of Houbara and preserve this natural asset of Rakhshan valley. UAE obtained hundreds of eggs, chicks and birds to develop National Avian Research Centre in Abu Dhabi in 1980’s from here. Houbara bustard is a highly protected species both under national law and international conventions. It is protected under the Provincial Wildlife Acts/Ordinance of Balochistan. By 1975 it was declared an endangered species in Pakistan. The houbara could become extinct within 10 to 15 years from Balochistan if unchecked hunting, illegal trapping and trading of the bird continue. The natural death rate of the endangered birds is 30 percent while death due to hunting is more than 70 percent.

There is need for community awareness about this endangered bird and their involvement in preservation and protection of the houbara and a complete ban on issue of hunting permits to foreign hunters.

Characteristics of Houbara Bustard: The Houbara Bustard is a small to mid-sized bird. It measures 22–26 inches in length and spans 53–67 inches across the wings. It is brown above and white below, with a black strip down the sides of its neck. In flight, the long wings show large areas of black and brown on the flight feathers. The sexes are similar, but the female is rather smaller and greyer above. The body mass is 1.15–2.4 kg in males and 1–1.7 kg in females. The Houbara Bustard breeds in deserts and other very arid sandy areas and is largely resident within its range. Like other bustards, this species has attractive display raising the white feathers of the head and throat and withdrawing the head. Two to four eggs are laid on the ground. This species is omnivorous, taking seeds, insects and other small creatures. Its average life is 15 years.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom:    Animalia

Phylum:     Chordata

Class:          Aves

Order:        Gruiformes

Family:       Otidae

Genus:        Chlamydotis

Species:      C. undulata

Binomial name: Chlamydotis undulata

District Washuk at a glance.

District Washuk is located in the northwest of Balochistan, along Iranian border with Pakistan. This district has three tehseels; Washuk, Mashkel and Basima, 10 union councils and 216mauzas (villages).  The shape of district is approximately rectangular, with 305 km length and 150 km width. Area of district is 29,510 km² out of which 71,520 hectare is arable. Adjoining districts are Kharan & Kalat, Khuzdar, Panjgur in north, east and south respectively.  Washuk district has a total population (in 1998) of 118,171, comprising 62,114 males and 56,059 females, with a population density of only 4.0 per km2. The literacy rate is low at 18%. Washuk town is at center of district approximately. Mashkel is at western corner and Basima is at eastern corner. Washuk town is at a distance of 195 km from Iran border. Kalporagan, Kaledin, Jaleq are populated Iranian towns located at west of this district.  Mashkel is a sandy area, Tehseel Washuk has both sandy and mountainous topography. Basima has mountains and granular plain. The climate of this district varies from tehseel to tehseel. Dry and dust storms are very common throughout the year in Mashkel and Washuk. These storms become very severe during the period of summer from June to September. People call these storms "Livar". They are described as scorching and destructive, killing everything. During this period traveling becomes impossible. During the summer season, days are hot but nights are very pleasant and cool. The winter is dry and moderately cold. Tehseel Basima is moderately hot in summer and severely cold in winter. Dust storms also blow but their intensity is lower here. Precipitation is low. The soil of some areas is alluvial and extremely fertile. The best type is called "Matt". It requires less water and retains moisture for longer periods and is suitable for all crops. There are no forests in the district. Trees are few and scanty. Agriculture is major source of livelihood. Date Palm is the most common fruit in Mashkhel and in Washuk. Few wild fig trees and tamarix also exist in the hills. Willows also grow in the Nullahs. Pistachio is rarely found. Wild vine is found in sheltered spots and in lower slopes of the hills. Grass and bush known as "Alony" are fairly abundant. Wheat is the principal crop. In fruits; dates, melon, watermelon, apples, pomegranates, cherry, grapes, peaches, plums, pears are produced. The major Rabi crops include wheat, barley, pulses and vegetables. Kharif crops in Basima comprise orchards, vegetables, and fodder and onion. Pulses and oil seeds are also cultivated on a limited area. Business is an important economic sector. Business of smuggled things from Iran; oil & gas, detergent, motorcycles, snacks, cold drinks is prominent in markets. Labor class goes to Seistan and Mekran to earn. Livestock is another economic sector in the district. Livestock sector is constrained by insufficient and low quality of feed and fodder. There is lack of care for it. Veterinary hospitals are insufficient and medicines are scanty in them. The nomadic inhabitants of the district take their animals to hilly areas and other places in search of grazing lands.

Hamun Mashkel, biggest lake of Pakistan is located in this district. This is some 85 kilometers long and 35 kilometers wide, the surface of the Hamun-i-Mashkhel is littered with sun-cracked clay, oxidized pebbles, salty marshes and crescent-shaped moving sand dunes. The area is known particularly for its constant mirage and sudden severe sand-storms. Its center lies at a latitude of 28.1389 and longitude of 63.1242 and has an elevation of 517 meters above sea level.

Shamsi airbase is located in this district. Arab royals constructed this base because they come here for hunting Houraba Bustard bird, an extinct bird of world found in Rakhshan. Its population is endangered now due to uncontrolled hunting by Arab royals and local hunters.

List of Villages Tehselwise:
1.Tehsel Washuk: Gawashank, Jath, Koh Ban, Margo, Qambar Khudai, Nazar, Soldan, Umer Karod, Sorchah.

2.Tehsel Basima: Naag, Shinger, Zaik. Siahozai, Shirenza, Baghsopak, Kurragai, Siahozai, Dali, Beront, Drug, Sajid, Gradi, Treep, Damag, Kodi, Patak, Kerachi, Para-E-Bijjr, Peezge, Raghai, Ziarat, Tinki, Sangey, Kalat.

3.Tehsel Mashkel: Ladgasht, Ladgar, Sothgan, Chukal, Dazi, Hooki, Sar Aap, Kalag, Sargi, Katgi, Noke, Chah, Passi, Punyam, Reegi, Taguz, Kand, Thal 

A camel  carvan through desert