Saiful Malook National Park

Saiful Maluk was declared National Park on 28^th of April 2003.

Total area : 4867 Hc

Population around National Park: 20,000

FAUNA

Snow leopard, Marmot, Brown Bear, Himalayan Ibex, snow cock, Snow Partridge Himalayan Griffin Vulture,

FLORA OF SAIFUL MALOOK 

In Saiful Malook, grasses and grass lie plants, other forbs and shrubs are found in different groups, patterns, frequency, cove percentage and composition. Topographical features and morphological and physiological characteristics of the vegetation give rise to patterns which vary in size and are found intermittently. For example, Junipers communist is prostrate with spreading aerial parts, so its compact patches are found all over the pasture, but particularly on rocky ridges. Salix occupies depressions on cooler aspects. Species of Polygonum have extensive rhizomes and several patterns are usually visible in the pasture. Iris form more or less compact Patches distributed all over the area, giving the impression of pure stands. Potentilla-Astragalus type vegetation is present. Though 7 grasses and grass like plants, 46 other forbs and 10 shrubs were recorded and identified, most were very rare. Some species are at risk of disappearance due to overgrazing. Those that are locally abundant perform well due to their better morphological characteristics. Patchy distribution, due to the different patterns and grouping, rendered the step-toe method ineffective, as most of the rare species could not be intercepted on transect lines. Some were only present in protected or sheltered sites. The frequency of intercepted species was low compared to that in  plots.

The large number (63) of species indicate the richness of floral diversity. Prevailing conditions suggest that more palatable (decrease) species have disappeared due to heavy grazing. Most(17 species) forbs have poor palatability (increase species) two are unpalatable and poisonous. Most shrubs were not browse able. However, woody species are a good source of fuel wood and thatch. Dry branches and stems of Junipers communist and Salix are collected for fuel. Besides feed for livestock, some forbs have medical values, and locals use them to treat both humans and livestock. Fresh leaves or branches of some are used as food.

All four sites in upper Kaghan Valley showed minor variations in species composition (cover percentage) and frequency. At Burawai, and Agrostis-Trifolium community was recorded. Frequency of Trifolium response was 80 percent as compared to 40 percent of Agrosts gigantean. At Jalkhad, and Alpecrus-Taraxcum community was found, with 60 percent alopecurus and 40 percent Taraxacum. At Besal , and Agrostis-cerastium-Trifolium community was recorded with frequencies of 100, 900 and 100 percent, respectively. At Gittidas, 1 Polygonum- Taraxacum- Carex Community was recorded with frequencies of 100, 80, and 80 percent respectively

Total number of visitors: 0.1 million per year

Threats: Over exploitation of natural resources, ill planned tourism, pollution, illegal fishing, breaking of land for cultivation, ill planned construction.