Impact of fencing on the conservation of wildlife habitat in a sub-mountainous open scrub forest

In Pakistan, Lehri/Jindi evergreen open scrub forest is a characteristic habitat of critically or locally endangered species including Punjab urial (Ovis vignei punjabiensis) and leopard (Panthera pardus), and the important game species desert hare (Lepus nigricollis), black francolin (Francolinus francolinus), grey francolin (Francolinus pondicerianus), see–see partridge (Ammoperdix griseogularis) and chukor partridge (Alectoris chukar). Four separate fenced enclosures were established to maintain captive Punjab urial population in a semi-wild state. Vegetation surveys were conducted through permanently laid quadrats to explore its impact on native flora in 1987–1992 before the fencing was installed and then 2003–2007 over a decade after the fencing was installed.

► Lehri/Jindi forest includes a rich diversity of grasses and other palatable dicots.
► Anthropogenic activities are responsible for the rapid degradation of the habitat.
► Invasive species are gradually replacing the native flora.
► Fencing is critically important for the conservation of wildlife of the area.
► Fencing promotes the diversity of native flora important for the wildlife.