AN OVERVIEW OF VERTEBRATE DIVERSITY OF KARACHI EAST WITH REFERENCE TO ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS AND ANTHROPOGENICAL ACTIVITIES

Abstract

In the present study, the effects of anthropogenic activities and environmental hazards on the biodiversity of Karachi East were carried out during the period of one year (January 2024 to December 2024). Because of the Indus basin, the Karachi coast offers a wide range of vertebrate diversity, including habitat for threatened, endangered, and critically endangered species, a resting, feeding, breeding, and wintering area for migratory bird species, a high species richness area, a biodiversity spawning and nursery area, and a traditional and culturally significant area. However, there has been a significant loss of biodiversity in recent years due to rapid industrialization.10 species of mammals belong to 08 families and 04 orders. There are a total of 37 species of birds and 32 genera belonging to 23 families comprising 09 orders, and 08 species of reptiles belonging to 6 families comprising 01 order. During the study period, 03 species of amphibians and 03 genera belonging to 02 families, 01 order, 61 species of plants and 51 genera were recorded from Karachi East. Habitat destruction and alteration, deforestation, improper waste disposal, rapid urbanization, and a lack of awareness about the importance of wildlife among local people were all serious threats to biodiversity