Gorals belong to family Bovidae and Genus Naemorhedus. Himalayan goral (Naemorhedus goral) is one of three species of goral, one sub-species, the Grey goral (Naemorhedus goral goral) occurs in Pakistan. It is classified as Near Threatened globally (IUCN Red List) and Vulnerable in Pakistan. This subspecies is threatened primarily by illegal hunting and competition with livestock, resulting in small and fragmented populations in its current distribution range in Pakistan. Machiara National Park (MNP) falls under distribution range of grey goral in Azad Jammu and Kashmir where the present study was conducted. The objectives of the study were to determine distribution range of grey goral in the park in order to assess habitat use, population density, diet composition and grazing pressure in grey goral habitat in MNP, so that its current population status and the extent adverse impacts of grazing pressure could be assessed. Grey goral was found distributed in two sites of MNP, Machiara and Sarli Sacha on the basis of reconnaissance survey and secondary information from park staff and local people. I conducted vegetation survey in which 42 plant species were recorded in grey goral habitat in MNP. At Machiara, by vegetation sampling 40 plant species were identified, whereas at Serli Sacha only 17 plant species were recorded. At Machiara, grey goral inhabited areas between 1970 m and 2600 m elevation during winter and 2400 m and 2900 m in summer. At Serli Sacha, it occupied areas between 1970 m and 2200 m during winter and 2600 m and 2800 m during summer. During both seasons, south and southeast-facing slopes at Machiara and at Serli Sacha were used by goral relatively more frequently than other aspects. Both at Machiara and Serli Sacha, grey goral were most commonly found on moderate xvi (30–40°) slopes during winter but on steeper (40–60°) slopes during summer. The vegetation type most preferred by grey goral was herbs and grasses (Ivlev Electivity Index (IEI) = 0.14), followed by shrubs (IEI = 0.03), while trees were avoided (IEI= -0.54). The overall mean population density of grey goral in MNP was 2.66 individuals / km² based on visual scans. The range of encounter rate (No./Scan) was 0.00 to 2.9. The population density of grey goral in Machiara site was higher (4.57/ km²) than Serli Sacha site (0.76/km²). The minimum herd size recorded was two while maximum herd size was six. Mean herd size was 4 animals where larger groups were frequent in less disturbed areas (38%) in contrast to highly disturbed areas (12%). Number of fawns / female was highest during May (1.12) and June (0.71). Diet composition of grey goral was determined through microhistological analysis of fecal pellets. A total of 145 pellet groups, 105 from Machiara (summer=52, winter=53) and 40 from Serli Sacha (summer=19, winter=21) were collected from study area. A wider range of dietary items were utilized by grey goral in Machiara (21) as compared to Serli Sacha (15). Average diet breadth was lower during the winter season in both study sites. Livestock grazing pressure in grey goral habitat was assessed through field sampling and questionnaire survey. Based on Adult Cattle Units (ACU), Serli Sacha had higher density of grazing livestock in grey goral habitat (105/ km2) than Machiara (81/ km2). At Machiara, a total of 295 livestock heads (cattle, sheep and goats) while in Serli Sacha, 413 livestock heads were recorded during grazing in grey goral habitat. There was a significant negative correlation between number of grey goral individuals observed and livestock units recorded both at Machiara and Serli Sacha. Future management of Park would require protection of core habitat of grey xvii goral ranging from 1950 m to 2900 m elevation in MNP. Preferred forage species of grey goral, Geranium wallichianum, Poa annua, Themeda anathera, Cymbopogan martini, Persicaria nepalensis and Plectranthes rugosis need to be conserved and enhanced in its habitat in the park. Park management should initiate measures to reduce livestock population in areas identified as core habitat of grey goral for its conservation. Effective measures are particularly required for limiting the livestock grazing and wood cutting activities in MNP through awareness raising campaigns and cooperation of local communities.
اختر انیس ناظرین معارف کو یہ خبر سن کر بہت رنج ہوگا کہ جناب اختر انیس سینئر جنرل منیجر بی۔سی۔سی۔آئی نے لندن میں انتقال کیا، ان کا وطن اعظم گڑھ تھا اور وہ دارالمصنفین کے سب سے زیادہ حاضر باش جناب امین الدین صاحب مرحوم کے خویش تھے، اختر انیس مرحوم بڑے متین و سنجیدہ شخص تھے، بڑے عہدہ پر ہونے کے باوجود ان میں غرور و تمکنت نام کو بھی نہ تھی۔ ان کی وفات سے دارالمصنفین اپنے ایک بہت مخلص ہواخواہ سے محروم ہوگیا، اﷲ تعالیٰ ان کو جنت الفردوس عطا فرمائے، آمین۔ (ضیاء الدین اصلاحی، جولائی ۱۹۸۸ء)
Islam is the full code of life that not only provides guidance to its followers but also is a source of growth for each and every one who has soul. Islam emphasizes on formation of an exemplary society. Basic unit of each society is dependent upon the family system. If family system is inspired with good and healthy values, then the resulting society will certainly be brightened with brilliance of the righteous values. Family and affiliation with family is a natural need for humanity. Since Islam is the nature, therefore it provides us full guidance about the family system and its importance in our whole life. Islam emphasizes on family strengthening and stability. The importance of family relationships and relations with the relatives has also been mentioned in the holy Qur’an. Family is referred as “Usrah” in Arabic, which means being bound or connected. Strongest castle is also known as “Usrah” in Arabic, where members within a family remain united and connected together with strong bonding among them. Keeping in view the needs of a family, Islam has described the fundamental principles related to family system in a very narrative way. Moreover, mutual responsibilities towards each other and other rights have also been mentioned explicitly. Even Islam has emphasized on showing generous compassion, sympathy and providing legal rights to one another. While some of the issues have been left mainstream which people within a society consider good and don’t even contradict the principles of Islam. One such issue is the family system. What should be the nature of family? Is it all in living within one family or in a separate family system? There are two types of family systems in Sharia; Joint and separate family systems. The conditions and circumstances which better suit in an environment with good effects on family as well as society should better be adapted. But it should be kept in mind that the western concept of separate family (wife, children and one’s own-self) being presented today is not an Islamic concept. For explaining these aspects, the present article will focus on “what is the basic concept and Impacts of joint and separate family systems in Islam? And what are the impacts of these family systems on the society (economic, social and psychological)
The study was conducted to investigate the opinion of the parents (Class IX & X students), English teachers, students of secondary classes and experts in curriculum field about the purpose of studying English and selection of contents accordingly. In addition the experts in curriculum field were also consulted on the procedures and processes used at present for selection of content. The focus was on four major areas i.e. social forces in society /community values and purposes, knowledge and its treatment, the nature of learning and the learner and human growth and development that are fundamental to any curriculum. Content and construct reliability and validity of the questionnaires were ensured through pre-testing as well as by obtaining experts opinion. For data collection a sample of 1000 English teachers, 2000 students, 2000 parents and 50 curriculum experts from all the four provinces and the federal capital was selected by adopting multi-stage random sampling procedure. It was ensured that the sample represents the population from rural and urban areas, Urdu and English mediums and public and private schools for both male and female in the right proportion. The key conclusions based on the descriptive and statistical evidences indicated that the people of Pakistan attach great importance to values and purposes related to religious teachings and want to promote these through schooling. It also revealed that the people are very keen to learn English as it is the language of knowledge and higher learning in all fields. The findings of the study indicated that in the present textbooks of English speaking is least emphasized as compared to other skills. The findings of the study also gave a fairly good idea of themes and sub-themes that the majority of population wants to include as content of English for classes IX–X. Based on statistical analysis of the data, criteria for selection of contents for teaching English in Secondary Schools has been developed and weightage suggested for each which have been validated by the Textbook Boards and Curriculum Bureaus in the country.