Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP inhabits a wide variety of birds and animals and hardly anywhere in Pakistan one can see such a large diversity in such a limited area.
Main reasons for high diversity of birds in MHNP are that this region combines many ecological components that together make it a unique location. No other Pakistani location could come even near in the number of species seen. As a result of a series of faunal survey of the park, 54 species of butterflies, 37 species of fish, 9 species of amphibians, 20 species of reptiles, 380 species of birds, 21 species of small mammals and 15 species of large mammals were recorded. The bird diversity is substantially high and mainly associated with the Rawal Lake area.
Talking to APP, director, Zoological Department, Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH), Dr Muhammad Rafique, said this park has a good number of resident species in the well-wooded parks, and a number of birds particular to agricultural environment. He said Rawal Lake is linked to the Indus River System which is the fourth most important migratory flyway of the planet. Several garbage dumps provide important habitats, particularly to large raptors, but also to wagtails, starlings and pipits. Dr Rafique said most significant of all, MHNP has several resident Himalayan species, but also many winter visitors from high altitudes.
The Margalla is also the most important extension of the Indo-Malayan bio-geographical realm in Pakistan, with species that are found nowhere else except in a few valleys. Thick patches of thorny forest, network of nullahs, steep slopes, comparatively high rate of precipitation, unapproachable cliffs, thick under shrubs and a link between the palins in the south and the Himalayas in the north make the MHNP a suitable habitat for various mammalian species.
Diets may determine dementia risk: study: Experts believe that a combination of nutrients in foods is very important but that diet is not the sole cause or solution where dementia is concerned.
The foods we choose to eat may determine our risk of dementia, sticking to a diet rich in nuts, fish and vegetables significantly cuts the chance of developing Alzheimer’s, BBC health reported. A ‘Mediterranean diet’ containing plenty of fresh produce and less high- fat dairy and red meat has long been thought to improve general health. Dr Yian Gu and colleagues at Columbia University Medical Centre in the US studied the diets of 2,148 retirement-age adults. Over the four years of the study, 253 of these older adults developed Alzheimer’s disease. When the researchers scrutinised the diets of all of the individuals in the study, a pattern emerged. Adults whose diets included more salad dressing, nuts, fish, poultry, fruits and green leafy vegetables, and less high-fat dairy, red meat and butter, were far less likely to develop dementia. Understanding the connection between diet and dementia risk may help prevent the development of diseases like Alzheimer’s for some people but it is the varying levels of specific nutrients that these food combinations offer that is important, say the researchers. `Diets rich in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, vitamin E and folate but low in saturated fat and vitamin B12 appear to be best. Experts have long suspected that nutrients might modify dementia risk. Similarly, vitamin E might be protective via its strong antioxidant effect, while monosaturated and saturated fatty acids could increase dementia risk by encouraging blood clot formation, say the researchers. With 35 million people worldwide living with dementia, it is important to focus efforts on research to develop new treatments.
Narcotics Control secretary visits ANF Headqaurters: Ministry of Narcotics Control Secretary Javed Iqbal paid his first visit to the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) Rawalpindi Headquarters.
ANF Director General Major-General Malik Zafar Iqbal and Director Enforcement Brigadier Muhammad Javed Iqbal briefed the secretary about the contributions of ANF in combating menace of drugs and the ANF’S functioning, said a press release. The narcotics control secretary appreciated the efforts of ANF and reiterated his profound support for it.
