The research investigates the agglomeration pattern of seven national, international oil and gas extraction and production companies through an exploration of oil and gas cluster components and subcomponents. For this exploratory study, data is collected through primary sources via in-depth interviews from managers of national and international oil and gas MNCs working in Sindh, Pakistan and through secondary sources of business reports. The content analysis is adopted to analyze the data. Results of this study reveal that there is strong existence of exploration and production companies which results in agglomeration, however, other components of oil and gas cluster like refineries, marketing companies, supporting institutes, media and government poorly exist in Sindh province of Pakistan. Findings also highlight that the Sindh as a resource-rich region is still underdeveloped due to poor management of resources or because of the absence of ideal oil and gas cluster components and coordination among them in the region.
The present study was conducted from January 2012 to December 2015, to record data on Distribution, Status and Conservation of Indian monitor lizard Varanus bengalensis, Desert monitor Varanus griseus and Indian spiny tailed lizard Saara hardwickii in Karachi, Hyderabad and Thatta of province of Sindh, Pakistan. A total of 1045 lizards were captured and subsequently released in this assessment of the family Varanidae and Agamidae. Of the captured lizards, 314 were Varanus bengalensis, 21 Varanus griseus and Saara hardwickii 710. There were 170 male, 89 female and 55 Juveniles of V. bengalensis with 09 males and 07 female and 05 Juveniles of V. griseus. While 332 male and 258 female and 120 Juvenile of S. hardwickii were recorded. In Karachi, V. bengalensis was recorded in Manora, Cape Monze, Hawks-bay, Sandspit, Safari Park, University of Karachi (Behind Mass Communication Department, near HEJ Center, behind Dean Faculty of Sciences, building gaps in Urdu Department, near Staff Town), Malir Cantt (Malir Cantonment near Fauji road, near Gulshane Roomi, Malir link road to super highway road 1, road 7) Khadejiand Hub Dam areas as Less Common and male were dominant than females. According to population data, in the year 2012-2013, V. bengalensis was recorded as 37%, and in the years 2013-2014 as 34%, while in the years 2014-2015 recorded as 28%. In Hyderabad, V. bengalensis was recorded in Rabo Khaskhali Village, Jamshoro Irrigation workshop, Kotri, DCD Ground, near Dargah Baba Salah Uddin, Hyderabad Mori, Hatri and Husri as Less Common, the population of male were dominant than females. According to the data in the year 2012-2013, V. bengalensis was recorded as 40%, and in the years 2013-2014 as 36%, while in the years 2014-2015 recorded as 22%. In Thatta, V. bengalensis was recorded in the Dargah Shaikh Aali Makli, Gajju, Gogabooti, Haleji Lake, Siddique Shoroo Village, Hala Village, Dargah Shah Hussain, Dhabeji, as Less Common, male were dominanted than females. According to the data V. bengalensis was recorded in 2012-2013, as 36%, and in the years 2013-2014, as 32%, while in the year 2014-2015, recorded as 30%. The IUCN status of V. bengalensis is Least Concern. In Karachi, V. griseus was recorded as Less Common in DHA City, Jokhia more (Jokhia Village), Hub dam and Mangopir, male were dominant than females. According to population data, in the year 2012-2013, V. griseus was recorded as 55%, and in the years 2013- 2014, recorded as 22%, while in 2014-2015 as 22%. In Hyderabad V. griseus was recorded in Rabo-Khaskhali Village and near Hyderabad Airport as Less Common. In the year 2012-2013, V. griseus was recorded as 40%, and in 2013-2014 as 40%, while in the years 2014-2015 as 20%. In Thatta V. griseus was recorded in the Dargah S. Ameer Shah Sherazi, Jhimpir (Haji Lakhano Village) as Less Common, male were dominant than females. According to population data V. griseus was recorded in the year 2012-2013 as 42%, and in the years 2013-2014 as 28%, while in the year 2014-2015 as 28%. The IUCN status of V. griseus is Vulnerable. S. hardwickii was recorded in Karachi as Less Common in DHA City, near Jokhia more (Jokhia Village), Hub-dam areas, male were dominant than females. According to population data 2012-2013 S. hardwickii was recorded as 44%, and in the years 2013-2014 as 32%, while in the years 2014-2015 as 23%. In Hyderabad S. hardwickii was recorded as Rare in Hyderabad Airport and Rabo Khaskhali Village, male was dominant than female. According to the data in the year 2012-2013, S. hardwickii was recorded as 62%, and in the years 2013-2014 as 48%, while in the years 2014-2015 as 6%. S. hardwickii was recorded in Thatta as Less Common in Siddique Shoroo Village, near Dargah Shah Hussain, Jhimpir (Rahu Chang, WaryamPalari, QasimBurfat, BachoJakhro, Muri Ali Chang, Usman Jakhro, Karim BuxKhaskhali, Villages), Jungshahi ( Haji Jokhio Village, near Jungshahi Railway Station, near Poultry farm) andRunpathani (Haji Essa Khan Village) areas, male were dominant than females. As per data S. hardwickii was recorded in the year 2012-2013 as 41% and in the years 2013-2014 34%, while in the years 2014-2015 recorded as 23%. S. hardwickii already included in the IUCN Red List and CITES Appendix. During the study, total 25 plant species were recorded in Karachi, 17 species in Hyderabad and 20 plant species recorded in Thatta. In Karachi, main habitat of V. bengalensis were observed in the green fertile areas near to the water reservoirs, old buildings, buildings gaps, stony type tunnel, empty main holes, sand dunes and on tree, and Euphorbia caducifolia was dominated. Habitat of Varanus griseus are arid areas with small hills, some sand dunes, patches of herbs and shrubs, Acacia and Euphorbia spp. were dominated. Actually this part consists of Kirthar and adjoining area with hills. Habitat of Saara hardwickii in Karachi are Arid areas with some of seasonal grass and patchy herbs and shrubs, somewhere plain scrub area as well as some of sand dunes, hilly area of Kirthar Karachi range, affected by anthropogenic actions and mega city projects. In Hyderabad, the prime habitat of V. bengalensis were located at near water reservoirs, sand dunes, stony type, green fertile areas and Termitaria (colony of termites). It is mainly flat and some barren, around water bodies’ rare grass, shrubs and little or less vegetation, hot desert atmosphere with warm conditions, on river side and canal side vegetation were observed. Habitat of V. griseus in Hyderabad study areas are Arid areas with small hills, somewhere plain with very little patches of herbs and shrubs. Burrows found on hill or mountain. Habitat of Saara hardwickii in Hyderabad are Arid areas with very less amount of seasonal herbs and shrubs, no vegetation were observed, habitat were affected due to construction of new colonies and developmental projects. In Thatta, habitat of V. bengalensis is principally level and infertile with little grass, bushes and practically zero vegetation. The dirt composition in the zone is for the most part rough and gravely with the Kohistan slopes in the surroundings which region an expansion of the Khirthar range. Water bodies including Keenjhar and Haleji Lakes are also present in the range of V. bengalensis habitat. Agricultural fields, sand dunes, old buildings and graveyard are also habitats of this lizard. Habitat of V. griseus in Thatta areas consists of small hills with herbs and shrubs, some areas of sand dunes and some where plains crust. While, burrows found on hill or mountain. In Thatta habitat of S. hardwickii is principally level and infertile with little and seasonal grass, bushes and practically zero vegetation. The dirt composition in the zone is for the most part rough and gravely with the Kohistan slopes in the surroundings which region an expansion of the Khirthar, two Ramsar Sites Keenjhar and Haleji Lakes also here. Habitat degradation, habitat modification, disturbance by humans particularly in the adjoining agricultural lands areas, illegal hunting for skin, flesh, oil, habitat are important threats to the Varanus spp. and S. hardwickii in the areas surveyed. During the present study, S. hardwickii and V. griseus were not recorded in the main human populated areas of Karachi, but recorded in the city bordering area of Karachi due to building, roads and other developmental construction. Several environmental impacts were also recorded during the study in Karachi, Hyderabad and Thatta. Main habitat areas were under the influence of new mega city projects and developmental projects and road mining’s for motorways Karachi to Thatta, Hyderabad to Karachi, some of mortality were observed during construction of new mega projects and during road crossing. The Government of Sindh provide protection through Sindh Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1972 to all varanids accept S. hardwickii. In order to ensure the long-term survival of the species, it is extremely needed to implement the Law to stop poaching and trading of lizards, as well as need awareness and partnership programs for local community to support and conservation of lizards in all areas of Sindh." xml:lang="en_US