Taunsa Information Centre
Region
Asia
Country
Pakistan
Flyway
East Asian - Australasian flyway
Initiative
WLI Asia-Oceania
About
World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan
Demonstration model for live turtles and fish
Funding support
WWF-Pakistan, UNDP, GEF, EKN, UKAID, Punjab Irrigation Department, Punjab Forests, Wildlife and Fisheries Department
Number of staff
2
Number of visitors per year
5,000
Overall aims of the centre
i. Promote awareness about the importance of wetland’s biodiversity amongst the locals/visitors
ii. Engage local communities and stakeholders in the conservation of wetlands
iii. Motivate students and academia for promoting research and the wise use of wetlands
Description of the centre
– 16,225 acres (6566 ha) Taunsa Barrage Wildlife Sanctuary
– Riverine Ecosystem
– Hog deer, Indus dolphin, Wild boar, more than 12 threatened and near-threatened species of birds
– Celebration of significant environment days with local communities, academia, local CBOs / NGOs
– Species exhibits and displays
– Barrage models
– Local community products display and sale centre
– Handicrafts exhibitions
Work Areas
Main CEPA work areas
Wetlands associated information, literature and books available in small library section at the centre.
Celebration of Environment Days, Students groups from different institutes visit the centre.
Visits of school groups to the centre for information and experiencing outdoor activities
Top three successes
1. Involvement of communities in the conservation and management of wetlands resources especially the sustainable fishing zone ensuring the use of legal nets, hygienic fishing practices etc.
2. Three Hog deer, a wild boar and few wetland birds rescued by the local communities.
3. Taunsa Centre, has become a place for exhibiting community products and is helping the adjacent communities in their income generation.
Top three challenges
WWF-Pakistan has a network of Information Centres across the country, which are less successful due to the following reasons:
– Sustained funding support
– Unavailability of Business Plans
– Lack of staff
This Centre will be a show piece for other centres to learn lessons.
Expertise
Interpretation techniques
Creating signage; site information; Producing written materials; Using audio-visual tools
Visitor centres
Running a visitor centre; Building / maintaining structures
Participation
Engaging young people; Engaging the local community; Working with volunteers
Education and communication
Working with primary schools; Lobbying / running campaigns; Working with secondary schools; Developing resources / materials
General
Health and safety; Fund-raising; Project planning.