• North-west Alpine Wetlands Complex (NAWC);
• Salt Range Wetlands Complex (SRWC);
• Central Indus Wetlands Complex (CIWC); and
• Makran Coastal Wetlands Complex (MCWC).

It is anticipated that these site-level initiatives will implement a suite of appropriate community-based measures to conserve biodiversity and to promote the sustainable use of wetlands resources. These measures will include the establishment of conservancies and the formation of local institutions that equitably represent relevant stakeholders for sustainable management of wetlands. They will also support the introduction of alternate income generation ventures, including production sector reform. The programme will have a high replicable value in a national environment in which both public awareness of wetlands conservation issues and technical capacity to manage freshwater and wetlands will have been substantially enhanced.

North-west Alpine Wetlands Complex

Located in the upper Yarkhun River Valley at elevations from 3,000 to 4,200 m, this complex includes some of the highest biologically active wetlands on earth. Its glacial lakes, braided stream beds and extensive peatlands provide a seasonal refuge to Palaearctic bird migrants and Marco Polo Sheep. They also support a substantial local pollution composed essentially of hardy Wakhi people whose semi-permanent habitation is established well above the tree line. Emergent and peripheral wetlands vegetation is seasonally subjected to unsustainable use by Wakhi people and their livestock.

Salt Range Wetlands Complex

Comprising of a series of adjacent lakes - Kallar Kahar, Khabbeki, Ucchali, Jhalar and Namal - This complex provides an important wintering ground for migratory birds and is core habitat for the endemic Punjab Urial. The lakes are degrading in quality and extent due to encroachment of agriculture, over-extraction and pollution of water and a range of other intensive resource-use practices. Fortunately, the local inhabitants are well organized in community-based organizations and recognize the dire need to conserve the wetlands biodiversity and other resources of the area.

Central Indus Wetlands Complex

Home to Pakistan's endemic Indus Dolphin, this complex presents a picture of intensive resource over use to meet subsistence needs. Over-fishing armful fishing techniques, agrochemical, industrial and urban pollution, hunting and extraction of wetlands vegetation pose the main threats to wetlands and their associated biodiversity in this complex, potential for alternative income generating ventures such as eco-tourism is high and can be encourages to provide income for people who are acutely dependent on wetlands resources.

Makran Coastal Wetlands Complex

Extending westwards along Balochistan's Makran Coast from the Barol River to Jiwani on the border with Iran, this complex supports a range of cetaceans such as Finless Porpoises and Hump-backed Whales as well as the endangered Marsh Crocodile. Local communities are dependent on fishing and port activities that have led to pressures on marine biodiversity through over-harvesting and pollution. A lack of alternate resources for fuel, fodder and timber has led to unsustainable utilization of mangroves in the Dasht estuary.