Northwest
Poonch River Mahaseer National Park: Pakistan's First Riverine Conservation Area
Mapped aquatic landscape and freshwater biodiversity in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Poonch River Mahaseer National Park is a significant aquatic protected area established in 2010, renowned for being Pakistan's first dedicated riverine conservation zone. Situated along the Poonch River in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, it spans approximately 22.5 square kilometers, encompassing the main river channel and key tributary nullahs crucial for breeding. The park's primary objective is to protect the endangered golden mahseer and the broader freshwater ecosystem, serving as a vital model for river-based conservation and mapped biodiversity stewardship in the region.
- Area
- 22.5 km²
- Established
- 2010
- IUCN
- II