Dr. Riaz Aziz Minhas

Dr. Riaz Aziz Minhas
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Personal Details
Dr. R. A. Minhas earned his Ph.D. in Zoology with a specialization in Wildlife from the University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir (UAJK), Muzaffarabad. His PhD research was jointly supervised by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Nasim Khan (UAJK) and Prof. Dr. Afsar Mian (PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi). He joined the Department of Zoology as a lecturer in 2010 and has over 15 years of experience in postgraduate teaching and research in ecology and wildlife.

He has published more than 57 research papers in internationally recognized peer-reviewed journals, focusing on various aspects of wildlife ecology and conservation genetics. Additionally, he has co-authored two books on the wildlife resources of Azad Jammu & Kashmir. To raise public awareness about natural resource conservation, he has also contributed several articles to national and international print and electronic media on different aspects of wildlife. Throughout his tenure in the Department of Zoology, Dr. Minhas has supervised 15 M.Sc. and 18 M.Phil. scholars in various fields of wildlife ecology. Currently, 7 M.Phil. and 01 PhD scholars are being supervised by him.

Before joining the university, he was actively involved in community-based wildlife conservation and management while serving with the Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, Government of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and WWF-Pakistan. As a leading Field Biologist, he played a key role in various wildlife monitoring studies conducted by the Department of Wildlife & Fisheries across different regions of Azad Jammu & Kashmir.
Associate Professor
PhD
Zoology
  1. Tehseen Mughal, Muhammad Jahangeer, Muhammad Siddique Awan, Riaz Aziz Minhas, Zia Ul Rehman, Muhammad Bilal Ahmed, Muhammad Shakeel Awan, Mir Muhammad Saleem, Muhammad Bashir, Usman Ali, Muhammad Arshad and Abid
    Hussain, 2025. Roost Site Selection and Habitat Preferences of Black Kites in Urban Environments: A Case Study in District Muzaffarabad Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. International Journal of Forest Sciences, 5(1):36-48.
  2. Muhammad Jahangeer, Muhammad Siddique Awan, Mir Muhammad Saleem, Tehseen Mughal, Muhammad Arshad, Muhammad Bashir, Abid Hussain, Usman Ali and Riaz Aziz Minhas, 2025. Biodiversity and Spatial Distribution of Dragonflies in the State Biosphere Reserve: Ghamot National Park, Neelum Valley, Pakistan. Journal of Wildlife and Ecology, 9(1):01-09.
  3. Muhammad Tehseen Khan and Muhammad Arshad Muhammad Jahangeer, Muhammad Wajid, Zia ul Rehman, Muhammad Siddique Awan, Riaz Aziz Minhas, Usman Ali, Muhammad Bashir Khan, Abid Hussain, Mir Muhammad Saleem, 2025. Assessing Amphibian and Reptile Diversity and Habitat Associations in the Western Himalayas: A Case Study of Ghamot National Park, Neelum, Pakistan. International Journal of Forest Sciences, 5(2): 108-119.
  4. Muhammad Tehseen Khan and Muhammad Arshad Abid Hussain, Muhammad Jahangeer, Riaz Aziz Minhas, Muhammad Wajid, Usman Ali, Muhammad Siddique Awan, Zia ul Rehman, Mir Muhammad Saleem, 2025. Distribution, Population Status, and Conservation Challenges of Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta) in Machiara National Park, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Journal of Wildlife and Ecology, 9(2): 139-149
  5. Khan, L. A., Ahmad, K., Chaudhary, A. A., Minhas, R. A., Awan, M. S., Dar, N. I., Ali, U., Ahmad, F., Kabir, M., Bibi, S. 2024. The human-wildlife conflict in Musk Deer National Park, Neelum Gureze Valley, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan. Brazilian Journal of Biology, 2024, vol. 84, e261655.
  6. Ali, U., Ahmad, B., Minhas, R. A., Awan, M. S., Khan, L. A., Khan, M. B., ... & Ahmed, D. (2024). Human-black bear conflict: crop raiding by Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Brazilian Journal of Biology, 2024, vol. 84, e261446 | https://doi.org/ 10.1590/1519-6984.261446
  7. Muhammad Jahangeer, Muhammad Siddique Awan, Muhammad Shakeel Awan, Riaz Aziz Minhas, Mir Muhammad, Saleem, Usman Ali and Abid Sudhzoi. 2024. Ethnoveterinary utilization of medicinal plants in Ghamot National Park Western Himalayas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 28:24 - http://dx.doi.org/10.32859/era.28.24.1-17.
  8. Jahangeer, M., M. S. Awan, M. Basharat, R. A. Minhas, M. M. Saleem, and M. S. Awan. 2024. Vegetation Structure of Western Himalayan Temperate Forests in Ghamot National Park in Neelum Valley Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. International Journal of Forest Sciences. 4(1): 31-46.
  9. Muhammad Jahangeer, Muhammad Siddique Awan, Riaz Aziz Minhas, 2024. Assessment of butterflies diversity, and distribution in Ghamot National Park, Western Himalaya, Neelum Valley, Pakistan. World Journal of Biology and Biotechnology, 9(2), 21-24.
  10. Muhammad Jahangeer, Usman Ali, Muhammad Siddique Awan and Riaz Aziz Minhas, 2024. Distribution of Common Leopard (Panthera pardus) and Human-common Leopard Conflict in Lachhrat Forest Range, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Journal of Wildlife and Ecology. 8(1):43-73.
  11. Shahida Rashied, Ahmed Zia, Riaz Aziz Minhas, Sumera Aslam, Abdul Rauf Bhatti and Ghulam Ali., 2024. Diversity of the Anisoptera and Zygoptera (Odonata: Insecta) of State Biosphere Reserve Neelum of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Pakistan J. Zool., 56(5), 2293-2299. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.pjz/20231115114502.
  12. Sajid Abbasi, Basharat Ahmad, Riaz Aziz Minhas, Liaquat Ali Khan, Shaista Ali and Muhammad Bashir Khan, 2024. Expansion of distribution ranges and current population status of Cheer pheasant (Catreus wallichii) in Northern Pakistan (AJ&K). Brazilian Journal of Biology, vol. 84, e280449. https://doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.280449
  13. Ali, U., Ahmad, K., Minhas, R. A., Kabir, M., Awan, M. S., Khan, L. A., and Khan, M. B. 2023. Habitat Suitability Modeling of Asiatic Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus) in Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 55(3): 1273-1284.
  14. Jahangeer, M., Awan, M.S., and Minhas, R. A., 2023. Diversity Distribution, Land Used Type of Small and Medium-Sized Mammals in Ghamot National Park the State Biosphere Reserve-Neelum, Pakistan. World Journal of Biology and Biotechnology, 8(3): 29-33. Digital Object Identifier: https://doi.org/10.33865/wjb.008.03.1120
  15. Jahangeer, M., Awan, M. S., Altaf, M., Minhas, R. A., & Ali, U., 2023. Study of Bird Diversity in Ghamot National Park Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Pakistan J. Zool., pp 1-11, 2023. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.pjz/20221207051220
  16. Jahangeer, M., Awan, M. S. and Minhas, R. A., 2023. Management Prescriptions for Biodiversity Conservation in Western Himalaya: Ghamot National Park, the State Biosphere Reserve, Neelum, Pakistan. International Journal of Forest Sciences (2023). 3(2):95-127.
  17. Ara, A., Ali, U., Furqan, M., Ali, Z., Shahzad, M.M., Ahmed, K.B., Minhas, R.A., Ahmed, W., Hussain, Z. And Amanullah, M. 2022. Diversity, Distribution and Threats to Freshwater Turtles in Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Pakistan J. Zool., 54(3): 1229-1237.
  18. Khan, M.B., Irshad, N., Ahmed, B, Khan, M.R., Minhas, R.A., Ali, U., Ahmad, K.S., Sheikh, A.A., Ashraf, N. 2022. Food Habits of Indian Crested Porcupine (Hystrix indica Kerr 1792), in District Bagh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Brazilian Journal of Biology, 82: e243063.
  19. Zahoor, B., Ahmad, B., Minhas R.A., Awan, M.S., 2021. Damage Done by Black Bear in Moji Game Reserve Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Pakistan J. Zool., 53(1): 217-225.
  20. Jahangeer, M., Minhas, R.A. and Awan, S. 2019. Current distribution and status of Himalayan Grey Langur (Semnopithecus ajax) in Lachhrat Forest Range, Azad Jammu and Kashmir-Pakistan. Journal of Wildlife and Ecology, 3(1):10-20.
  21. Ahmad, B., Noor, F., Awan, M. S., Minhas, R. A. and Ali, U. 2019. Distribution and Population Status of Himalayan Monal Pheasant (Lophophorus impejanus) in Salkhala Game Reserve, Neelum Valley Azad Jammu and Kashmir (Pakistan). The Journal of Animal & Plant Sciences, 29(4): 1150-1159.
  22. Kazmi, S. Shabi-Ul-Hassan, Minhas, R. A.*, Ahmad, B., Awan, M. S., Abbasi, S., Ali, U., Shakeel, U. and Dar, N. I. 2019. Crop Raiding by Himalayan Black Bear: A Major Cause of Human-Bear Conflict in Machiara National Park, Pakistan. The Journal of Animal & Plant Sciences, 29(3): 854-863.
  23. Furqan, M., Ali, U., Ara, A., Shahzad, M.M., Awan, M.S., Minhas, R.A., Ahmad, K.B., Qamar, Z.Q., and Dar, N.I. 2019. Population Estimation and Habitat Analysis of Indian Grey Mongoose (Herpestes edwardsii) in Mirpur District, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan J. Zool., 51(2): 549-557.
  24. KHAN, L.A., MINHAS, R. A., AWAN, M. S., AHMAD, K.B., SHAFI, N., ALI, U., AND IFTIKHAR, N. 2018. Population Status and Distribution of Himalayan Brown Bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus) in Musk Deer National Park Neelum, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (Pakistan). Pak. j. sci. ind. res. Ser. B: biol. sci. 2018 61B (3): 158-164.
  25. MINHAS, R. A., KHAN, M.N., AWAN, M. S., AHMAD, B., BIBI, S. S., HANIF, M., AND MIAN, A. 2018. RAPD based Genetic Diversity of Endangered Himalayan Gray Langur (Semnopithecus ajax) Populations of Pakistan. Pakistan J. Zool., 50(6): 2059-2071.
  26. SIRAJ-UD-DIN, M., MINHAS, R. A., ALI, U., KHAN, M., AWAN, M.S., SHAFI, N., AND AHMAD, B., 2018. Habitat and Feeding Ecology of Ladakh Urial (Ovis vignei vignei) in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Pakistan J. Zool., 50(1): 197-206.
  27. KHALID, S., AWAN M.S., MINHAS, R.A., ASHRAF, N., AHMED, K.B., SHAFI, N. AND ABASSI, S., 2017. Distribution and Habitat Use of Avian Fauna of Rawalakot City and its Surroundings, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Pakistan J. Zool., 49(6): 2331-2334.
  28. IFTIKHAR, N., QAMAR, Z. Q., ALI, U., AWAN, M.S., BIBI, S.S., MINHAS, R.A., 2017. Population Status of Cheer Pheasant (Catreus wallichii) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Punjab University Journal of Zoology, 32 (1): 101-109.
  29. AWAN, M.S., MINHAS, R. A., AHMED, B. AND KHAN, A.A., 2017. Impact of habitat qualities on the breeding activities of Himalayan griffons (Gyps himalayensis Hume, 1869): A case study from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. The Journal of Animal & Plant Sciences, 27(2): 627-641.
  30. SIRAJ-UD-DIN, M., MINHAS, R. A.*, KHAN, M., ALI, U., BIBI, S.S., AHMED, B. AND AWAN, M. S., 2016. Conservation Status of Ladakh Urial (Ovis vignei vignei Blyth, 1841) in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 48(5): 1353-1365.
  31. ALI, U., MINHAS, R. A., AWAN, M. S., AHMED, K. B., QAMAR, Q.Z. AND DAR, N. I., 2016. Human-Grey Wolf (Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758) Conflict in Shounther Valley, District Neelum, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 48(3): 861-868, 2016.
  32. SHAFI, N., RAUF, A., AKHTAR, T., MINHAS, R.A., ULFAT AND BIBI, S., 2016. Comparative isolation and amplification of Cytochrome oxidase 1 DNA from Oncorhynchus mykiss (Rainbow Trout) of Azad Jammu & Kashmir. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies, 4(6): 196-199.
  33. KAUSAR, N., AWAN, M.S., MINHAS, R.A., QAMAR, Z., DAR, N.I. AND ALI, U. 2016. Socio-economic survey of Pir Lasorha National Park in District Kotli, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Wildlife, 7(2): 41-48.
  34. SHAKEEL, U., MINHAS, R.A., AWAN, M. S., BIBI, S. S. AND IFTIKHARA, N. 2015. Conservation Status of Himalayan Grey Goral (Naemorhedus goral bedfordi Hardwicke, 1825) in Machiara National Park, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 47(5): 1297-1304.
  35. SIRAJ-UD-DIN, M., MINHAS, R. A.*, KHAN, M., ALI, U., BIBI, S.S., AHMED, B. AND AWAN, M. S., 2016. Conservation Status of Ladakh Urial (Ovis vignei vignei Blyth, 1841) in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 48(5): 1353-1365.
  36. SIRAJ-UD-DIN, M., MINHAS, R. A.*, KHAN, M., ALI, U., BIBI, S.S., AHMED, B. AND AWAN, M. S., 2016. Conservation Status of Ladakh Urial (Ovis vignei vignei Blyth, 1841) in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 48(5): 1353-1365.
  37. SULTANA, N., AWAN, M.S., SHAMIM, A., IQBAL, A., ALI, U., MINHAS, R. A., MAJID, M.M. AND BANGASH, N., 2015. Prevalence of Ticks Infesting Selected Domestic Livestock Population of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Scholar’s Advances in Animal and Veterinary Research, 2(2): 98-106.
  38. SHAH, A.*, KHAN, M. S., AWAN, M. S., MINHAS, R. A., AKHTAR, N., KAUSAR, S., 2014. Spatial distribution and nidification record of Himalayan Monal and Koklass Pheasants in Kalam district Swat, KP, Pakistan. Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences, 5(2): 296-305.
  39. MINHAS, R. A.*, ALI, U., AWAN, M.S., AHMED, K.B., KHAN, M.N., DAR, N.I., QAMAR, Q.Z., ALI, H., CYRIL C. GRUETER, YAMATO TSUJI., 2013. Ranging and Foraging of Himalayan Grey Langur (Semnopithecus ajax) in Machiara National Park, Pakistan. Primates, 54: 147-152
  40. BIBI, S.S., MINHAS, R.A., AWAN, M. S. AND ALI, U., 2013. Study of Ethno-Carnivore Relationship in Dhirkot, District Bagh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (Pakistan). Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 23(3):854-859.
  41. SHAH, A., AWAN, M. S., KHAN, M. S., MINHAS, R. A., KAUSAR, S., 2013. Vegetation analysis in the habitats of Koklass pheasant. Journal of Biodiversity and Ecological Sciences, 3(4): 191-201.
  42. MINHAS, R.A., AHMED, K.B., AWAN, M.S., QAMAR Z.Q., DAR, N.I AND ALI, H., 2012. Distribution Patterns and Population Status of the Himalayan Grey Langur (Semnopithecus ajax) in Machiara National Park, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 44(3): 869-877.
  43. KHAN, M.B., AHMED, K.B., AWAN, M.S., ALI, U., MINHAS, R.A. AND CHOUDARY, S.A., 2012. Distribution, Population Status and Habitat Utilization of Common Otter (Lutra Lutra) In Neelum Valley Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan Journal of Zoology 44(1): 233-239. 
  44. KHAN, M.B., AHMED, K.B., AWAN, M.S., ALI, U., MINHAS, R.A. AND CHOUDARY, S.A., 2012. Distribution, Population Status and Habitat Utilization of Common Otter (Lutra Lutra) In Neelum Valley Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan Journal of Zoology 44(1): 233-239. 
  45. GOURSI, U.H., AWAN, M.S., MINHAS, R.A., ALI, U., KABIR, M. AND DAR, N.I., 2012. Status and Conservation of Indian Rock Python (Python molurus molurus) in Deva Vatala National Park, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 44(6):1507-1514. 
  46. ANDLEEB, S., SHAMIM, S., AWAN, M.N. AND MINHAS, R.A., 2012. Modified Protocol for Genomic DNA Extraction from Newly Plucked Feathers of Lophura leucomelana hamiltoni (Galliformes) for Genetic Studies and its Endo-restriction analysis. Pak.j.sci.ind.res.Ser.B.biol.sci. 55(2):108-113.
  47. ZULFIQAR, S., MINHAS, R.A., AWAN, M. S. AND ALI, U., 2011. Population and Conservation Status of Barking Deer (Muntiacus muntjac) in Pir Lasorha National Park and other areas of District Kotli, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (Pakistan). Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 43(5): 993-997.
  48. MASAUD, N., AWAN, M.S., MINHAS, R.A. AND ALI, U., 2010. Study of Avian Diversity in and around Chinari, District Hattian, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Wildlife, 1(2): 43-49.
  49. QAMAR, Q.Z., DAR, N.I., ALI, U., MINHAS, R.A., AYUB, J. AND ANWAR, M., 2010. Human-Leopard Conflict: An Emerging Issue of Common Leopard Conservation in Machiara National Park, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Wildlife, 1(2): 50-56.
  50. MINHAS, R. A., AHMED, K. B., AWAN, M. S., and DAR, N. I. 2010. Social Organization and Reproductive Biology of Himalayan Grey Langur (Semnopithecus entellus ajax) in Machiara National Park Azad Kashmir (Pakistan). Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 42(2): 143-156.
  51. MINHAS, R.A., AHMED, K.B., AWAN, M.S. AND DAR, N.I. 2010. Habitat Utilization and Feeding Biology of Himalayan Grey Langur (Semnopithecus entellus ajax) in Machiara National Park Azad Kashmir (Pakistan). Zoological Research, 31(2):177-188.
  52. DAR, N.I., MINHAS, R.A., QAMAR, Z. AND LINKIE, M., 2009. Predicting the patterns, perceptions and causes of human–carnivore conflict in and around Machiara National Park, Pakistan. Biological Conservation, 142: 2076–2082.
  53. MINHAS, R. A.*, AHMED, K. B., AWAN, M. S., AND DAR, N. I. 2009. Biology of Himalayan Grey Langur (Semnopithecus entellus ajax) in Machiara National Park Azad Kashmir (Pakistan). Proceedings Pakistan Congress of Zoology, 29: 201-202.
  54. QAMAR, Q.Z. MAQSOOD, A. AND MINHAS, R. A., 2008. Distribution and Population Status of Himalayan Musk Deer (Moschus chrysogaster) in Machiara National Park, AJK. Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 40(3): 159-163.
  55. AWAN, M.S., MINHAS, R.A., AHMAD K.B. AND DAR, N.I., 2004. Distribution, food and habitat preferences of small mammals in Machiara National Park, District Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. Punjab University Journal of Zoology, 19:17-31.
  56. QAMAR, Q. Z. AND MINHAS, R. A., 2006. Medicinal Plants and their uses in Machiara National Park. Protected Areas Management Project- Machiara National Park, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Government of AJK. Al-Sheikh Press, Muzaffarabad.
  57. DAR, N. A. MINHAS, R. A. AND BIBI, S. S. 2019. Wildlife of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad.

I explore the ecology, behavior, and conservation of mammals, birds, and herpetofauna in Pakistan’s temperate regions, blending basic and applied research. My work tackles real-world conservation challenges through flexible, interdisciplinary approaches—ranging from human-wildlife interactions and public education to habitat ecology and phylogenetics. By collaborating with wildlife managers and local communities, I aim to create practical, science-based solutions that promote biodiversity and sustainable coexistence.

• Seven times consecutive Certificate Awards for the ‘Invaluable Research Contributions’ by the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir for the year 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019
• Certificate Award by the Department of Zoology for Promotion of Research Activities in the Department of Zoology UAJK.
• Member of the Editorial Board (2015-to date) for University Annual Reports, Newsletters, and Prospectus of the University of AJK, Muzaffarabad.
• Associate Editor (Zoology), Kashmir Journal of Science, University of AJK, Muzaffarabad.
• Member of the Board of Faculty (Science), University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad
• Member, National Curriculum Review Committee (NCRC) for Biology, HEC, Islamabad
• Member, Environmental Assessment Advisory Committee (EAAC) under AJK-Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Govt. of AJK.
• Technical Consultant, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ regarding Wildlife Surveys and Research in AJK.
• Technical Reviewer of Biology textbooks published by the Azad Jammu & Kashmir Textbook Board.
• Reviewer of the following journals/reports:
o Environmental Assessment Project in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
o Biodiversity and Conservation (Journal by Springer)
o Environmental Monitoring and Assessment (Journal by Springer)
o International Journal for Biodiversity and Environmental Management
o International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation
• Technical Editor "Pakistan Journal of Wildlife" (ISSN: 2227-3157 (Online)
• Referee, Rufford’s Small Grants Projects in AJK

Research Details
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