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Pakistan’s status as an important transit point for migratory birds is threatened by rising temperatures and habitat loss, threatening ancient flyways.
There was a time when about one million birds from Central Asian countries migrated annually through the International Migratory Bird Route No. 4, also known as the Indus Flyway or the Green Route. This flyway extends from the Karakoram Ranges to the Indus Delta (a distance of about 2,800 miles (4,500 km), according to a study published by Punjab University). However, numbers are declining as climate change threatens the birds. Changing patterns of Central Asia are forcing birds to make unprecedented adaptations in response to illegal fishing and water pollution to rapidly changing environmental conditions, including trapping.
Another study found that birds that traditionally wintered in areas like Sindh and Baluchistan, Pakistan’s southern provinces, are now extending their journeys to find more hospitable environments, due to melting glaciers and monsoons. The irregular pattern is due to significant changes in wetland ecosystems.
Also, every year, famous hunters visit South Punjab and Sindh to hunt the Hobara Bustard. In 2023, nearly 1,200 Arab falconers visited Pakistan for hunting trips, representing a 12 percent increase over the previous year. According to some reports, these visitors hunted 2000 to 3000 Houbara Bustards. Each hunting permit allowed the capture of up to 100 birds in ten days. This increase in hunting raises concerns about the survival of the Hobara Bustard population, which is considered vulnerable due to habitat loss and over-hunting.
Pakistan is one of the most complex bird migration routes in the world. Here, millions of birds migrate along routes that are now threatened by the devastating effects of climate change.
According to WWF-Pakistan, significant wetland changes are occurring without notice from the great wetlands of the Indus Delta to the complex mangrove forests of Karachi. Changes affect not only bird populations but entire ecosystems.
A continent of wings
Pakistan occupies a unique position on the Central Asian Flyway, one of the world’s most important routes for bird migration. According to the Pakistan Wetlands Program (WWF-Pakistan) from 2005 to 2012, it is a critical barrier for more than 500 bird species, a Creates complex pathways that connect nesting areas with winter homes in Central Asia, Russia, and Northern Europe. Indian Subcontinent
Migratory birds usually come to Pakistan in autumn during October-November and leave for spring in March-April. Some birds, such as the critically endangered Siberian crane (Grus leucogeranus), the impressive bar-headed goose (Anser indicus) and the beautiful white stork (Ciconia) rely on such ancient routes for their survival.
Climate crisis
Climate data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department shows an alarming trend. Since the 1960s, temperatures have increased by about 0.5°C per decade. Its environmental impact is significant. The change in temperature has severely affected the migration of birds.
Muhammad Jamshed Iqbal from WWF-Pakistan, speaking exclusively to this author, said: “The impact is comprehensive. We are seeing dramatic changes in migration patterns along the Indus Flyway. Wetlands are shrinking, water is rapidly increasing. is declining. Whole species are disappearing from their traditional territories.”
Migratory birds are living indicators of broader environmental health, offering important insights into climate change in our planet.
“Rising temperatures have changed the weather signals that birds depend on,” says Abdul Razzaq Khan, a wildlife expert with nearly four decades of experience. “While bird migratory behavior is largely genetically controlled, we are observing unprecedented flexibility and constraint in migratory patterns.”
Dr Zulfiqar Ali, Professor of Zoology at Punjab University, says, “Wetlands including Ramsar sites like Haliji Lake, Kenjhar Lake and Taunsa Barrage are drying up or shrinking due to erratic rainfall, reduction in river flow and human activities. “. “Migratory waterfowl such as bar-headed geese, northern pintails and greater flamingos rely heavily on these wetlands for feeding and resting during migration.”
Environmental Indicators: Population Decline and Level of Threat
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reports that nearly 31 percent of Pakistan’s bird species are now threatened. Some species are close to disappearing forever. The Indian vulture (Gippus indicus) and the Bengal florican (Hobaropsis bengalensis) are just two of the many species that are critically endangered.
Multifaceted challenges
The impact of climate change is much more than a rise in temperature. The complex web of environmental challenges includes:
– Habitat change: Wetlands, important for migratory birds, are shrinking rapidly. Areas around the Indus Delta and Mangala Dam have seen significant habitat loss due to reduced water flow and overexploitation of resources.
-Urban sprawl: Cities like Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad are expanding aggressively, destroying important green spaces and wetland habitats. have been “Mangrove forests in the Indus Delta are declining due to urban development and industrial pollution,” says a wildlife expert. Light confuses birds’ navigation systems, and urban noise increases stress and disrupts communication.
-Extreme weather events: Floods, droughts and storms are becoming more frequent and severe. The catastrophic floods of 2010 in the Indus River basin displaced numerous bird species and destroyed critical habitats.
Local perspective
Abdul Qayyum – from the Coastal Association for Research and Development (CARD) – offers a ground-level perspective: “Many birds are no longer coming in large numbers. Coots, ducks, cranes, flamingos and pelicans are either absent or reduced.” are arriving in numbers. The Dumb area, once famous for migratory birds, has seen a significant decline in avian arrivals.”
protection
Despite these challenges, conservation efforts offer hope. A few organizations are active in habitat restoration and conservation of migratory bird species.
A future perspective
Experts agree that urgent, comprehensive action is needed to implement stricter habitat protection policies and develop comprehensive monitoring systems for bird populations.
Important wetland ecosystems need to be restored and protected while promoting sustainable urban development. Experts emphasized on creating awareness among the public about the importance of conservation of migratory birds.
A broader perspective
Migratory birds are living indicators of broader environmental health, offering important insights into climate change in our planet.
As climate change reshapes global ecosystems, migratory birds represent more than just beautiful natural phenomena—they are complex, adaptive creatures navigating an increasingly challenging world.
“We are not just protecting the birds,” emphasizes Razak Khan. “We are preserving the delicate balance of entire ecosystems that sustain life on our planet.”
Illegal hunting of migratory birds should be stopped forever.
The author is a technology enthusiast and climate justice advocate. He can be contacted at muhammadtalaljokhio@gmail.com or X: @muhammadtalalj
