Climatic Changes and Their Effect on Wildlife of District Dir Lower, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract
Climatic changes and its impact are increasingly evident in Pakistan, especially in the mountainous regions. Mountain ecosystems are considered to be sensitive indicators of global warming; even slight variations in temperature can lead to significant shifts in local climate, which can in turn drastically affect the natural environment, subsequently altering people’s lifestyle and wildlife habitats. The targeted area for the present research was Lower Dir District, Pakistan. The study gathered the required information from primary and secondary sources. Secondary data on temperature and precipitation was obtained from various sources, i.e., local CBO, including WWF Pakistan. On the basis of information gathered on climate change and wildlife, a detailed questionnaire was designed. The data analysis procedure involved preliminary coding and sorting of data, mostly through data reduction and data reconstruction. The data was presented in a narrative report of findings with descriptive and interpretative details. Results showed that no regular pattern of increase was found in temperature from 2010 to 2018; the same was noticed in the case of rainfall decrease pattern. Results also showed that the main causes behind climatic changes are an increase in greenhouse gases due to pollution by industries, vehicles, crushing plants, deforestation as well as some natural phenomena such as floods. The study showed that more than 80% of the respondents agreed that climatic effects have a great impact on wildlife, i.e., the existence of wildlife falls in danger due to climatic changes as it may lead to habitat change making it difficult for the survival and adaptation of the wildlife. Hence, in consequence, it leads to migration, low growth rate, increase in morbidity and mortality rate, and finally leading to extinction of the species or population. It is concluded from the study that climatic change is being severely noticed by people and its main causes are greenhouse gases and deforestation. It is also concluded that there is no or less conservation tool applied in the targeted area; also there is a low budget for forest safety and wildlife conservation. To control climatic changes and wildlife extinction, we need an appropriate policy for forest conservation, wildlife conservation, prevent hunting, industrial pollution control, vehicle pollution control, increase in plantation, awareness of policy for control of climatic changes, and so on.