Environmental profile of tribal area (FATA)

Submitted By:
Munazza Jabbar 1643-FBAS/BSES/F20
Ayesha Tariq 1670-FBAS/BSES/F20
Muhsina Inayat 1653-FBAS/BSES/F20
Javeria Farman 1650-FBAS/BSES/F20
Anita Ali 1659-FBAS/BSES/F20
Areej Noor 1668-FBAS/BSES/F20
Tayyaba Ghaffar 1663-FBAS/BSES/F20

Submitted To: Dr.Sidra Aman

Department Of Environmental Science

Faculty Of Basic And Applied Science

International Islamic University Islamabad

Table Of Content:

1.Introduction………………………………………………………1
2.Socio-economics of FATA……………………………………...…4
3.Cultural resources of FATA……………………………….……..6
4.Agency wise profile…………………………..……………………8
5.Physical resources of FATA…………………………………..…16
6.Ecological resources……………………………………..……….18
7.FATA administrative and political system…………………..…21
8.Conclusion………………………………………………………..22
9.References……………………………………………………..….22
1.Introduction
The administered trible area (FATA) is situated in a narrow belt along the Pak-Afghan
border, known as Durand line named after Sir Mortimer Durand who surveyed and
established this border line between 1890-94.

Administratively, FATA is divided into seven political agencies; Bajour,Mohand, khyber,

Orakzai, Kurram, North and south Waziristan and six frontier regions; Peshawar FR,Kohat
FR, Bannu FR, D I Khan FR, Tank FR and Lakki Marwat FR.

The set up of the administrative agencies of khyber, khurram and north and south Waziristan
all date back to the 1880s and 90‟s. The other three agencies were created after the inception
of Pakistan.

1.1Location
It lies from 32-58 to 35-00 north latitudes and 69-15 to 71- 50 east longitudes.
1.2Boundaries
It is bounded on the north by the lower dir, on the east by Malakand protected area,
Charsadda, Peshawar, Nowshera, Kohat, Hangu, Karrak,Bannu, Lakki marwat, Tank and D-I
Khan districts, on the south Dera ghazi khan district (Punjab province ) zhob and Musa khel
districts(Balochistan ) and on the west is Afghanistan .

1.3Area
Total area of the federally administered tribal area is 27,220 square kilometres .

1.4Physical features
Geographically, Federally Administered tribal area can be divided into three parts the
northern, the central abd the southern regions.

Northern Region:
The northern region lying between the Swat and Kabul rivers comprises the agencies of
Bajaur and Mohmand. In Bajaur land is extensively cultivated but is severely affected by
indifferent flows in hill torrents and seasonal streams .

Central region:
The central region comprises the Khyber , kurram , and Orakzai agencies and the frontier
regions of kohat and Peshawar . The Khyber pass, which serves as a key international trade
route, has promoted the development of a major service and retail industry in the area
providing employment of the tribesmen. In the foot hills of the 4,000 meters high snow clad
sufed koh (white mountains) lie the fertile khanki toe. Mastura river and the Bara river
valleys.

Southern Region :
The southern region consist of the north and south Waziristan and frontier region of D. I .
Khan, Tank, Bannu and lakki, toward the south of this region is the gomal river while the
Kurram river flow toward the north. The region is bound on its western side by the Afghan
District of Birmal and Khost and by the Bannu basin derajat on its east.

2.Socio-Economics of FATA:
2.1Demographic Indicator
FATA had a population of about 2.9 million with the growing rate of 2.19 from 1998 to 2017.
The population density is about 930 persons per kilometer square while male female ratio is
1:1.057 . The male population of FATA agencies is more than female population. The ratio of
male population is 51.1% ,which is slightly more than female population.
2.2Literacy Rate:
Literacy rate is considered an important indicator to development and prosperity of any
society. Literacy rate in FATA is 45.7% in male population and 11.5% in the females. The
extremely low literacy rate in female is alarming. The main reason for lower literacy rate and
particularly in females was explored as the cultural norms of the locale which restrict females
to go outside their home .

2.3Health Facilities:
Health is most important factor, better health improves the efficiency and the productivity of
the labour force and thus ultimately contributes to the economic growth and leads to human
welfare. On the other hand ,there is a strong relationship between poverty and poor
health.The directorate of health services FATA secretariat keeps all the record of existing
health facilities in seven agencies of FATA which is shown in table.

Health facilities status

Institute levels Total number Population served by each

Hospital 34 136,587

Rural health centers 6 773,994

Basic health units 137 33,898

Community health centers 168 27,643

TB clinics 28 165,856

Dispensaries 341 13,619

2.4Social Organization:
Society is structured on kinship. Most of the decisions are mad on the household level. The
rich and influential people are accepted as community leaders. The traditional leader in the
village is “Malik” the elder who commands respect in the community.
3.Cultural Resources of FATA
The Federally Administered Tribal areas are characterized by strong tribal structure. There
are 11 major tribes majority of the population is Muslims with other small number of Sikhs
and Hindus are present. Pashto is the main language of these areas. These regions have a rich
culture of its own.

3.1Dress and Ornaments

The man of FATA generally wears loose shirts and trousers. Large turban is placed on the
head with a chadar and riffle on the shoulder on the. Women use printed cloths there working
and festival dresses are all same except on festivals they wear new cloths.In winter the man
use woolen chadar to protect them from cold. While in case of winter there dress remain the
same.

The following ornaments are used by the females.

1. Bangles
2. Bracelets
3. Pazeb (anklet)
4. Kara
5. Nat
6. Golden rings and ear rings

3.2 Food
The staple food of FATA are Wheat, maize, barley and rice with meat and vegetables. The
bread is large in size either baked on iron pans or in ovens. Chilies and other spices are not
very much liked. On festivals roasted meat is served. It is very delicious in taste and the most
favorite diet of tribesmen.Since wheat is the mostly cultivated crop in the area, the people are
very fond of eating seikh tikka with it, which is the most delicious item of food in tribal areas.

3.3 Houses
Houses of all the tribesmen are alike and are in the shape of fortress with towers. These
houses are mostly situated at commanding sites on the hills. Some of these little forts
comprise 10 to I5houses within the enclosures. In tribal areas each family has its own
separate dwelling, proportionate in size to the members of the households and their cattle and
flocks.In some areas people have two dwellings places, one for summer and other for winter
season and move along with their families and flocks to these dwellings.

3.4Religion

Most people of FATA are Sunni religion is followed in its most conservative form. They arc
staunch followers of Islam, praying five times a day and observing all Muslim rules.
3.5Occupations
Literacy rate is not high in these areas some people have gone to the Middle East for earning
which has brought some prosperity to the area. Most of the people are involved in business as
shopkeepers, merchants and transporters etc. A significant number of people are also found in
large cities of the country in different occupations.

3.6 Birth
At the birth of a male child, parents receive congratulations but the birth of a female child
generally passes unnoticed. The village Maulana give azan into the ears of the child. There is
great rejoicing on the birth of a male child, guns are fired in the air and musicians beat their
drums. The first ceremony after a child‟s birth issarkalai (shaving the head).

3.7 Marriages
Early age marriages are practiced in FATA .The tribal people follow a classical Pakhtoon
marriage custom. Generally, marriages are held within the tribe but there is no restriction on
marrying out of the tribe.
The parents of the boy and girl arrange marriages. During negotiations in some areas some
parents of the girls demand money and amount is fixed according to the position of parties.
That amount is called
Walwar (bride money) It includes a sum of marriage expenses and jewelry.
A certain quantity of rice, sugar, edible oil etc. are also included in the demand. After
engagement, a cultural taboo forbids the girl to appear before her fiancé. On the day of the
wedding, a large procession called Janj from the boy‟s family moves to the girl‟s house on
the fixed date.
The bride is brought in a big procession of fanfare and the young fire gunshots in the air in
jubilation. In the night, the wedding knot is affirmed by reading of some holy verses from the
Holy Quran by a local religious personality to perform nikah according to Islamic rites. The
wedding feast, called walima, is served to the people the following day.

3.8Death
Corpses of the dead are buried according to Islamic rites. The villagers jointly prepare grave
and the men and women assemble in the house of the deceased for condoling the death. Men
in large number attend the funeral prayer.On the day of the death and the following two days,
the neighbors and close relatives serve meals to the family of the deceased and their guests.
On the third day, normally the women folk visit the house of the deceased with some
eatables. The women also visit the graveyard and offer condolence at the tomb. On the
fortieth day, called chehlum, the family of the deceased gives food to the poor and the
relatives as khairat (charity).
4.Agency-Wise Profile:
There are seven agencies under FATA:

1) Bajaur Agency
2) Mohmand Agency
3) Khyber Agency
4) Kurram Agency
5) Orakzai Agency
6) North Waziristan
7) South Waziristan

4.1Bajaur Agency:
i. Area Profile:
Bajaur has remained as a semi-independent territory before 1960. It was declared as a sub-
division of Malakand Agency in 1960. Later I 1973, Bajaur was declared as a Federally
Administrative Tribal Agency.It was sub-divided into seven Sub-divsions:

a) Salazai
b) Tarkani
c) Mamund (upper and lower)
d) Charmang
e) Khar
f) Nawagai

Khar is the major city and headquarter of the agency.

ii. Geographical location:

Bajaur agency adjoins Malakand agency on the south-east, Dir district on the north-west,
Mohmand agency on the south-west and Afghanistan on the north-west.

iii. Climate:
As it is located at the extreme end of the Himalayan range creating uncertain monsoon rains
from year to year. The average rainfall is about 800mm in Bajaur agency. The mountainous
terrain of the agency receives extreme climates in winters and the temperature falls to
freezing point during December and February.

iv. Demographic features:

According to 1998 census data, the total population of Bajaur Agency was about 0.59
million, annual growth rate was 4.33% from 1981 to 1998.

The total area of Bajaur agency is 1290 square kilometers. The census data of 2017 reported
that the population of Bajaur agency has reached 1 million approximately. The male
population is 50.9%.
 v. Health Facilities:
There are only 2 hospitals in this agency for providing health facilities. The rural health
centers in Bajaur are only 3. There are 19 basic health units in different towns of the agency.
There are 11 community health centers, 8 dispensaries and 3 tuberculosis hospitals.

It was identified that the most f the hospitals and health centers lack qualified physicians,
nursing and paramedic staff, equipment, modern diagnostic and other medical technologies.
People have to move to big cities for treatments.

vi. Educational facilities:

There are 485 documented primary schools of which 325 schools are for male and 160
schools are for females. There are 45 middle level schools, of which 27 are for males and 18
are for females. The number of high schools is 37, of which 29 schools are for males and 8
schools are for females. There is only 1 higher secondary school for males while there is not
higher secondary school for females. There are 4 degree colleges for males and one for
females.The educational institutes of agency lack qualified teaching staff, infrastructure,
furniture, equipment as well as enrollment ratio.

vii. Literacy Rate:

Literacy rate in both genders of the agency was estimated as 29.9% in males, while it was
only 7.85% in females were literate during 2014. The overall literacy rate was 19.6% for both
genders.

viii. Drinking Water Sources:

In major towns of Bajaur, Public Health Engineering Department of FATA has been
supplying drinking water through pipelines and 19% of the households use this water. 38%
people are still using open well water for drinking purposes. 5% people get their drinking
water from ponds. 3% households use hand pumps while 35% use other sources for example
streams and rain water harvesting.

4.2Mohmand Agency:
i. Area Profile:
It is adjacent to Bajaur agency. It was established in 1951. The agency headquarter is located
in Galanai. The major tribes of Mohmand agency are; Mohmand, Safi, and Uthmankhel. The
agency is sub-divided into 6 tehsils:

a) Hallmzal
b) Palnlall
c) Safi
d) Upper Mohmand
e) Barangg khar
f) Yakaghund
 ii. Geographical Features:
It is bounded by Bajaur on North, Malakand division and Charsadda on East, Peshawar
district on South-East, Khyber agency on South and its borders with Afghanistan in the west.
The total area of agency is 2,296 square kilometers.

It consists of rugged mountains with barren slopes and widespread valleys along the banks of
the Kabul River.

iii. Demographic features:

The total population of this agency was approximately 0.3 million according to 1998 census.
The male population was 175,404(52.4%). The female population was 159,049(47.6%).
According to 2017, there was approximately 0.4 million population. The male population
decreased to 51.0% while female population was increased to 49.0%.

iv. Educational Facilities:

There are total 447 primary schools documented in this agency of which 297 schools are for
boys and 150 schools for girls. 64 schools are providing middle education, 42 are for boys
and 22 for girls. The high level schools are 30 of which 21 for boys and 9 for girls. There are
2 higher secondary schools in the Agency, 1 for males and 1 for females. There are 3 degree
colleges, 2 for males and 1 for females.The institutions lack qualified staff, equipment, and
infrastructure. The enrollment rate is also low.

v. Literacy Rate:
It is estimated that about 27.9% of the population of this agency is literate while 72.1% are
still illiterate. Literacy rate in males is 41.3% while 10.8% in females

vi. Drinking Water Sources:

Open wells were found as major source of drinking water. 67% of households in this area
were getting water from open wells. The second largest source was found tap water or
through pipeline water supply. Many of the households rely on pond water. 4% of the
population was using hand pups. 8% of the households were using other sources e.g. stream
water, rainwater harvesting or potential water sources.

4.3 Khyber Agency:

i. Area Profile:
Khyber agency has great political and strategic importance since the centuries because of its
geographical location. The major tribes of Khyber Agency are Afridis, Mullagoris, Shilmani,
Bangash and Shinwaries.
The agency is divided into 3 Tehsils;

a) Bara
b) Jamrud
c) Landi Kotal
ii. Geographical Features:
Khyber is located in the north-wet of Pakistan and is bounded by Afghanistan in west,
Peshawar in the east, Orakzai in south, Kurram in south-west and by Mohmand Agency in
the north.

iii. Demographic Features:

According to 1998 census the population was approximately 0.5 million people of which
52.1% was male and 47.9% were females. The 2017 census report indicates that the
population of this agency has increased to approximately 0.9 million people of which 51.2%
are male while 48.8% are females.

iv. Health Facilities:

There are 4 working hospitals. There is no rural health center. There are 13 basic health units.
There are 17 community health centers, 26 dispensaries while 4 tuberculosis clinics working
in the agency. The directorate of health FATA is responsible to manage all the health
facilitation centers in FATA as well as in Khyber Agency.

v. Educational Facilities:
There are total 327 primary schools in Khyber of which 198 schools are for boys and 129
schools are for girls. 26 middle schools of which 14 for boys and 12 for girls. 27 schools, out
of which 23 for boys and 4for girls. 4 higher secondary schools of which 2 schools for each.
There are total 4 degree colleges, 3 for men and 1 for women.

vi. Literacy Rate:

It is the most literate of all the Tribal Areas, with the literacy rate of 49.4%. most of the men
are literate at 76.3%. The literacy rate of women is disappointing as 16.6%.

vii. Drinking Water Sources:

Majority of the households of the agency depends on the open sources of drinking water. It is
explored that 41% of the households were getting the drinking water from sources like,
streams and rain water harvesting, 24% households use water supply pipeline for drinking
purposes, 8% use pond water while 1% are using Hand Pumps for drinking purposes.
 4.4 Orakzai Agency:
i. Area Profile:
It took it name from their ancestor Sikander Shah, who was exiled prince of Iran and lost in
the areas which consist of Kurram, Orakzai, and Tirah Valley. Orakzai was the formal part of
Kohat district and was declared as FATA in 1973. Orakzai agency consists of two sub-
divisions: Upper sub-division and Lower sub-division. The upper sub-division consists of 2
tehsils; Upper Tehsil and Ismailzai Tehsil, while the lower sub-division also has 2 tehsils,
Lower Tehsil and Central Tehsil.

ii. Geographical Features:

It is bounded in the north by Khyber Agency, in the east by FR Kohat, in the south by Kohat
and Hangu districts, in the west by Kurram Agency. The total area of this agency is 1,538
square kilometers.

The mountain ranges are high from 6,000 to 7,000 feet. It is the second smallest in area after
Bajaur agency. The two major streams are the Mastura river and Khanki toi river, originate
from hills to west and run to east.

Orakzai agency is characterized by intensely cold winters and mild summers. There is thick
forest cover, it rains throughout the year.

iii. Demographic Features:

Total population was approximately 024 million according to 1998 census. According to
2017 census, the population increased to 0.25 million. Males make 50.1% while females
make 49.9% of total population.

iv. Health Facilities:

There are total 3 hospitals, 2 rural health centers, 25 basic health units and equal community
health centers, 6 tuberculosis clinics and 30 dispensaries working in this agency.

v. Educational Facilities:
There are total 220 primary schools, 134 for boys and 86 for girls. There are 15 middle
schools, 8 for boys and 7 for girls. There are 20 high schools of which 14 for boys and 6 for
girls. There is one boys higher secondary school and 1 degree college for women in the
agency.

vi. Literacy Rate:

The overall literacy rate recorded in Orakzai agency is 34.6% for both genders, whereas
48.7% males and 17.3% females were literate.
 vii. Drinking Water Sources:
Majority of the households are getting water from unsafe and open sources. 30% households
are using wells as source of drinking water, 29% of the household are getting their water
from unreliable sources e.g. streams. 21% of the households were getting water from the
pipelines, 1% households are taking water from hand pumps.

5 Kurram Agency:
i. Area Profile:
It is one of the most important agencies of FATA. There are 3 tehsils; Upper Kurram, Lower
Kurram and FR Kurram.

ii. Geographical Location:

It is located on the north west of Pakistan. It borders Afghanistan in the north and west,
Kohat district in the south-east, North Waziristan in the south and Khyber and Orakzai in the
east. Kurram river enters agency in the northwest. The tributaries are Kimran and Khurmana.
The northwestern tehsil of Upper Kurram is characterized by very high Safed Koh mountains
in the north, the Parachinar plain and the Kurram river acting as a boundary with Lower
Kurram. Much of the land is barren due to lack of water.

iii. Demographic Features:

According to 1998 census, the population of the agency was approximately 0.44 million.
According to 2017 census, the population increased to 0.61 million.

iv. Health Facilities:

There are only 4 hospitals in the agency. There is no existing Rural Health Center, 22 basic
Health Units, 1 community health center, 3 tuberculosis clinics and 49 dispensaries.

v. Educational Facilities:
There are 412 primary schools in agency, 268 schools are for boys and144 schools are for
girls. There are 49middle schools, 32 schools for boys and 17 schools for girls. High schools
are 50 in number, out of which 39 are for boys and 11 for girls. There is one higher secondary
school for each gender. There are 6 colleges, 3 for each gender.

vi. Literacy Rate:

This agency is at second number for literacy rate in FATA. The combined literacy rate is
34.8%, 53.5% of the males and 12.5% are literate in the agency.

vii. Drinking Water Sources:

Most of the people use open sources for drinking purposes. 43% households are getting water
from streams. 28% are getting from water supply streams. 20% households are taking from
open wells, 2% are using hand pumps as sources of Water.
 4.5 North Waziristan:
i. Area Profile:
It is the northern part of Waziristan. Miranshah is capital of North Waziristan. The region
became independent tribal territory in 1893. The main tribes o the agency are Daur, Wazir,
and Tori Khel.

ii. Geographical Location:

The agency is bound on the north by Kurram Agency and Kohat, on the East by Kohat and
Bannu, on the south-by-south Waziristan Agency, and on the west by Afghanistan. The
agency has area of 4707 sq Km.

iii. Demographic Features:

The total population of agency was 0.36 million according to 1998 census, 53.3% males and
46.7% females. According to 2017 census, the population increased to 0.54 million of which
51.6% males and 48.4% females.

iv. Health Facilities:

There are 9 hospitals, 1 rural health center, 16 basic health units, 48 community health
centers, 5 tuberculosis clinics and 153 dispensaries working in the agency.

v. Educational Facilities:
There are 817 primary schools registered in the agency out of which 441 schools for boys and
376 schools for girls. 79 middle schools, out of which 50 for boys and 29 for girls. There are
38 high schools out of which 29 for boys and 9 for girls. There is 1 higher secondary school
for boys. There are only 2 degree colleges, only for boys. There is no teaching staff available,
no infrastructure, accessibility issue, cultural constraints or fundamentalism in the area, which
is responsible for low educational facilities.

vi. Literacy Rate:

The overall literacy rate of agency is 16.2%. the literacy rate in male is higher with 26.2%
while only 3.15% females are literate.

vii. Drinking Water Sources:

The major source of getting drinking water in agency is from rainwater harvesting, streams
and rivers. 40% households use these sources. 37% use traditional wells for drinking
purposes. 18% households are getting drinking water from state provided water supply lines.
3% households get their drinking water from ponds.
 4.6 South Waziristan:
i. Area Profile:
The region was an independent territory from 1893. This agency is the part of southern part
of Waziristan. The region became part of Pakistan in 1947.

ii. Geographical Location:

It is the mountainous region of northwest Pakistan that covers 11,585 sq km. it comprises the
area west and southwest of Peshawar between the Tochi River to the north and the Gomal
River to the south. The KPK lies to the east.

iii. Demographic Features:

The population of the agency was 0.36 million according to report of 1998 census. However,
the population increased to approximately 0.67 million according to 2017 census. 52.7%
male population and 47.3% female population exists.

iv. Health Facility:

There are 10 hospitals, 17 basic health units, no rural health center, 2 community health
centers, 4 tuberculosis clinics and 56 dispensaries working in the agency. The overall
condition of health care facilities is not good and insufficient as per requirement. Most of the
health centers lack medicines, physicians, technical staff and infrastructure.

v. Educational Facilities:
There are total 207 primary schools of which 131 for boys and 76 for girls. There are 31
middle schools, 20 schools for boys and 5 girls. There are total 18 number of high schools, 13
for boys and 5 for girls. There is 1 higher secondary school for boys only in whole agency.
There are 4 degree colleges, 3 are for men and 1 is for women.

vi. Literacy Rate:

The overall literacy rate in this agency is 31.1%. 43.7% males and 12.3% females of this
agency are literate.

vii. Drinking Water Sources:

The condition of drinking water of this agency is the worse than any other agency. Only 8%
of households use water supply pipelines for drinking purposes. 4% of households use hand
pumps, while 5% of them are using ponds. 19% of the households get their drinking water
from traditional wells. 64% use other sources e.g. streams, rivers, springs and rainwater
harvesting as source of drinking water.
5.Physical resources of FATA
5.1Atmosphere:
i. Climate:
Climatically, FATA falls under arid and semi-arid zones with an average annual rainfall of
300 mm. The average depth of water table is 60 meters. Prolonged droughts are common and
over exploitation of vegetation cover underpin the desertification phenomenon in FATA.The
climate of the project area varies from semi-arid sub-tropical to sub-humid temperate zones.
Physiographic features, especially altitudes have major impact on local climatic conditions.
This is well depicted by the soils and vegetation of the area. Rainfall in the Agency is
maximum on high mountains in the north and decreases towards south, and is well distributed
over the year. Snow also falls in the winters on the mountains, with valleys getting frosty.

ii.Recent drought:
Primary survey revealed that droughts occur in the area, but are not very severe. The last
significant drought was of four years duration, from 1999 to 2004. Nawagai area was most
affected where the Nawagai Khwar dried as well. There was a drop of 30% in the agricultural
yield and that was the only significant impact of drought.

5.2 Geology:
i. Regional geology:
A large variety of rocks occur together in a very disturbed manner. The country rocks are
diorites, granite phyllites and amphibolites with limestone, schist and phyllites. The
altramafic rocks are also found in the area,where granite, micro granite, pegmatite and diorite
have been encountered in the northern part. Various rocks types include serpentinite,
pyronenites and peridotite. The ultramafic body seems to have forcefully intruded the
greenish and yellowish crystalline limestone and marble. Serpentinite are light green to dark
green, hard and compact but at places, aretakasic. Peridotite is of whitish green color, hard
and compact and is mostly serpentinized.

ii.Reservoir :

The reservoir area is located upstream of the proposed weir site, between the weir axis and
confluence of the main stream of the area. The stream beds are open enough to make a
sufficient space for storage of water. The rock exposed at both the banks of the stream are
hard, namely Diorite and Granite, and they form the abutments.
5.3 Soil:

Medium textured soils are found. Water torrents erode the hilly soils which deposit coarse
material at the foot of the mountain's slope.
Although there is a wide range of soil types, over 60 percent of the area
ranges from moderately coarse to medium fine in soil texture. All these soils are suitable for
irrigation from a textural standpoint and can produce very good crop yields if managed
properly.

5.4 Surface water:

The Water Assessment Study & Management Plan, published by FATA Secretariat and ADB
in 2010 is the most detailed and reliable study conducted for water resources development
and management for the three agencies of FATA. According to the Study, there are a number
of streams and their tributaries in the project area of Bajaur Agency that have perennial from
snow melt. Panjkora River is the only major river that flows through the project area of
Bajaur Agency.
Panjkora River originates from the mountains between Dir district and Afghanistan, and
flows as a boundary river between Dir and Bajaur for a short distance. Jandul Khwar or
Jandul River is the other perennial stream that joins Panjkora in Dir. There are no active
irrigation canals on Panjkora River, but a large irrigation scheme is under construction
namely Balambat Irrigation Scheme. This scheme will divert 124 cusecs of water to irrigate
4,400 ha of agricultural land in and around the Agency.

5.5 Watershed:

There are 15 watersheds in Bajaur Agency, which amount for total surface water available in
a given average year as approximately 291 MCM, where 87.5 MCM is already being utilized
for irrigation purposes while approximately 204.3 MCM flows out of the Agency unutilized.
63% of this outflow water is from perennial sources, while the remaining 37% is generated
from rainfall. Average net surface water available in 15 watershed ranges between 39 MCM
in Charmang watershed to 0.3 MCM in the Chamarkand watershed.

5.6 Groundwater:

Unregulated abstraction of groundwater through unplanned construction of tube-wells and

dug-wells has considerably lowered the water table and groundwater aquifers are under
extreme stress in most of the watersheds in the project area. South of Bajaur consists of
metamorphic rocks such as schist while the rest of the Agency has igneous rock formations of
granodiorite and diorite. Major valleys have alluvial deposits and the lithological sequence
consists of clayey top layer, underlain by gravel and sand, and a clayey bottom layer.
Groundwater is usually found at a depth of 32 - 45 meters, where annual recharge is 116.32
MCM for an average year, 98.65 for a dry year and 191.99 MCM for a wet year.
6. Ecological resources :
i. Land use and land cover:
Recent satellite imagery was used to calculate and estimate the landcover of the area, using Digital
Elevation Model (DEM) and Spot Imageries. Moreover, data was also obtained from Forest Dept.

ii. Biodiversity:
No authentic information or studies are available on biodiversity of FATA. Historical records
and primary survey (consisting of Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and Key Informant
Interviews (KII)) provide some insight to the biodiversity of the area.

Flora:
Forests Type and Coverage:
(ha & %)
Sub-Tropical Chir Sub-Tropical Broad Plantations Total
Pine Leaves

5,001 3,643 1,544 10,188

(49.1) (35.8) (15.1) (100)

Vegetation in the Agency reflects its climatic classification that is semi-arid sub-tropical to
sub-humid sub-tropical temperate. Maximum tree types are sub-tropical chir pines and sub-
tropical broad leaves.

Fauna :
As stated earlier, no baselines on wild mammals, birds and fish species are available for
FATA. No comprehensive survey has ever been conducted in the territories by any line
department or NGO. For the purpose of this IEE, a primary survey was conducted to
ascertain the distribution of species, and to collect evidence of any sightings. The exercise
was based on a questionnaire developed for Key Informants as well as for Focus Group
Discussions. Charts and posters, developed by KPK Wildlife Department of mammal and
birds found commonly in KPK were used as survey tools, whereby respondents were asked to
respond to questions with the help of these pictorial tools.

According to the results of the primary survey, under the mammals‟ category, Common
Leopard, Pallas Cat, Mongoose, Jungle Cat, Leopard Cat, Hyena, Grey Wolf, Brown Bear,
Black Bear, Barking Deer, Hare, Grey Langur, Rhesus Monkey, Chinkara, Jackal, Wild boar
and Porcupine have been sighted in the Agency. The hotspots for several of these mammals
are Koi Moor, Barang, Latai, Salarzai, Arang, Koi Sar, Ambar, Kaman Ghara, Barking Deer,
Grey Langur, Black Bear, Chinkara and Rhesus Monkey are becoming increasingly rare to
sight.
Fisheries:

Data on fisheries reported here in Table is based on secondary sources since there were no
pictorial tools available such as charts and posters to be used for the primary research
exercise. Moreover, most of the fish available in the Agency have been introduced by the
Fisheries Dept, in order to improve the livelihoods of the locals. Hence, making a distinction
between culturable and wild fish extremely difficult in the area.

S.no Local Name Common Name Scientific Name

1. Pattay Mahay Chalwa Barilius Pakistanicus

2. Barilius Pakistanicus Rosybarb Puntious
Conconchonicus

3. Kattay Daoly Machlee Daoly Machlee

4. Kategy Dady Machlee Channa Punctatus

5. Spena Deqa Dogra Crossochelius

Diplocheilus

6. Paplate Gold Fish Carssius Aurantus

7. Marmahee Bam Machlee Bam Machlee

8. Gulabay/Sulemanay Punjabi Pahari Glypotothorax

Punjabensis

9. Hindu Mahay Sundali Schistura Alepidota

10. Shermahi Shermahi Clupisoma Naziri

11. Gulfam china Cyprinus Carpio

12. Mahaseer Mahaser Tor Putitora

Mineral resources :
After the Balochistan, the FATA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province is richest in mineral
resources. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA host many metalogenic domains. The
Hindukush-Karakoram block contains showing and deposits of antimony, arsenic,
polymetallic sulphides, gold, radioactive minerals, sheelite, dolomite/ limestone/ marble,
coal, graphite, and gemstones (aquamarine, topaz, tourmaline, ruby, spinel, pargasite,
epidote, garnet, etc). The central part of arc is mainly Kohistan batholith which consists of
gabbro, diorite and granodiorite. The southern part now called northern Indus Suture (Main
Mantle Thrust/MMT) which represents obduction of the lower part of sequence with thick
pile of thrust slices of ophiolitic (mafic and ultramafic) rocks. The northern part of Kohistan
terrain show gossans and alteration zones associated with volcanic rocks all along the
Karakoram Suture. It contains anomalous traces of copper, lead, zinc, antimony and gold.
There are large vein type deposits of pyrite, stockworks of quartz veins containing
disseminated grains of galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, azurite, bornite,
chrysocolla, malachite, pyrrhotite, etc.

Protected areas :
As stated earlier, there are no wildlife or forest laws enacted for FATA. However, more
recently, Governor KPK has issued a notification, declaring all wetlands in FATA as
Community Game Reserves. Hunting shall only be allowed with joint agreement of local
communities and political authorities. Following map shows the protected wetlands along
with proximity to KWIP, as per Governor‟s notification. .Moreover, a separate notification
has also been issued declaring trade in body parts (pelt, skin, stuffed bodies, trophies, etc.) of
all wild fauna including migratory birds as illegal.

.
7.FATA administrative and political system:

 FATA comes under the authority of the federal government; the Governor of KP is
designated as its agent, while in Islamabad the area is under the overall supervision of
the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFFRON). Laws framed by the
National Assembly do not apply in FATA unless specifically ordered by the
President.
 The Governor maintains control over the agencies via Political Agents (PA). Each
tribal agency is administered by a PA, assisted by a number of officials and members
from various informal/local law enforcement agents (e.g. khassadars; levies,
scouts).The PAs are career bureaucrats with broad political, administrative, financial
and judicial powers. They oversee the working of line departments and service
providers, handle inter-tribal disputes, control use of natural resources, and play a
supervisory role in development projects. They enjoy broad discretionary powers with
little transparency in the day-to-day working of agency administration and in the
collection of tolls and disbursement of funds.
 Until 2002 decisions related to development planning in the tribal areas were taken by
the FATA section of the KP Planning and Development Department, and
implemented by provincial line departments. In 2002 a FATA Secretariat was set up
in Peshawar, headed by the Secretary FATA, followed in 2006 by the Civil
Secretariat FATA which took over decision-making functions and project
implementation. The KP Governor‟s Secretariat plays a coordinating role between the
FATA Secretariat and the federal and provincial governments.
 FATA is divided into two administrative categories: „protected‟ areas which are
regions under the direct control of the government, and „non-protected‟ areas which
are administered indirectly through local tribes. In protected areas, PAs decide
criminal and civil cases. The 1901 FCR gives the PA wide-ranging powers, including
“collective punishment” of a tribe for actions by individuals from that tribe. The six
Frontier Regions are administered by the District Coordination Officers (DCO) of the
adjoining KP districts, each functioning as a Political Agent for their designated
Frontier Region.
 FATA does not have a legislative assembly. Universal suffrage for elections to the
national parliament was not introduced in FATA until 1997; prior to this suffrage was
limited to designated maliks. Political party activity is still not authorised despite
reforms approved in August 2009 by Parliament. At present FATA is represented by
12 Members of the National Assembly, however despite being entitled to vote on laws
pertaining to the rest of Pakistan, they have no power over decisions taken for FATA
that are decided by presidential decree alone.
8.Conclusion:
FATA is one of the most underdeveloped regions in the country. FATA consists of seven
administrative units, which are known as political agencies, and six frontier regions. [1]
There is also one Provincially Administered Tribal Area (PATA)—Malakand Agency. FATA
has long been a victim of neglect in respect of economic development despite having a
sizeable representation in the Parliament .The rugged mountainous terrains, difficulty of
access due to lack of good communication and the cultural reservation of the tribal population
against interference in their traditional lifestyles. The FATA is directly administered by the
federal government through the governor of the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP),
while each agency is administered by a political agent (PA).

9.References:
https://studylib.net/doc/7026092/introduction-to-fata
https://socialprotection.org/connect/stakeholders/pakistan-
federally-administered-tribal-areas-government-agencies-fata
https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/project
document/69437/tribal-areas-rural.pdf
https://pcrwr.gov.pk/wp-content/uploads/2020/Water-Management-
Reports/FATA-water-studies.pdf
https://aidglobal.net/portfolio-items/federally-administered-tribal-areas-
fata-livelihood-project/