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Fauna
The biodiversity of Altit and surrounding
Hunza valley has not been fully assessed however the surrounding
mountains and water
is
believed to the home different
species of birds,
mammals, freshwater fish, reptiles and
amphibians. The surrounding Hunza valley is also home
to a considerable number of globally threatened species, including
the snow leopard, Himalayan lynx, Marco Polo sheep, blue sheep, markhor, musk deer, woolly flying squirrel and
different
birds.
Marco polo sheep,
occurs in the vicinity of khunjerab pass, where about 30sq/km of
suitable habitat is present on undulating terrain. A herd of almost
75 sheep was recorded in the spring of last few years. Largely due
to extensive hunting, it is now one of the rarest animals in the
country.
Flora
Similarly, the
floral diversity includes
different species of medicinal plants. The region also supports a
wealth of agro-biodiversity, including traditional cultivars of grain
crops, many different varieties of fruit and a wide range of
traditional livestock breeds. The local population on
one or other way dependent on the surrounding ecosystem for
vegetables, fruits, grains,
nuts,
honey, spices, construction timber, fuel wood and medicinal plants.
Medicinal plants
-
Seabuck thorn
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Peelu, wild mint
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Ajwaeen
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Gul-e-banafshan
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Gaozaban
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Reetha
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Bakain
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Ratanjot
etc
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