KARACHI: Pakistan’s once-thriving wetlands, long a sanctuary for millions of migratory birds fleeing Siberia’s harsh winters, are witnessing a sharp decline in avian visitors.
Experts warn that prolonged drought, receding water levels, and growing habitat degradation are driving these seasonal guests away — some possibly for good.
The southern Sindh province, a traditional hotspot for migratory birds, has seen the most drastic drop. According to the Sindh Wildlife Department’s 2024-25 waterfowl count, migratory bird numbers plunged from 1.2 million in 2023 to 603,900 in 2024 and further down to 545,000 this year — a staggering fall of over 50 percent in two years.
In 2023, the region experienced an unusual influx, buoyed by the lingering effects of the catastrophic 2022 floods, which temporarily revived lakes, streams, and lagoons. This replenishment made Sindh an ideal stopover for birds making the 4,500-kilometre journey from Siberia to India via the Indus Flyway.
However, this year tells a different story. “Sindh has long been a refuge for migratory birds because of its unique biodiversity and many lakes, lagoons, and waterways,” said Mumtaz Soomro of the Sindh Wildlife Department. “But those numbers have declined gradually since 2023 due to receding water levels and droughts.”
The latest survey, covering 40 percent of Sindh, found water shortages at key bird habitats including Manchar, Keenjhar, Hamal, and Haleji lakes, Nareri lagoon, and the Rann of Kutch wildlife sanctuary. Many of these sites are Ramsar-certified wetlands of international importance.
Migration is seasonal, with birds arriving by late August and departing by February. Over 50 species, including gulls, mallards, plovers, snipes, cormorants, cranes, and storks, have historically used Sindh’s wetlands as stopovers. The highest recent counts were 112,000 birds at Nareri lagoon and 91,000 at the Rann of Kutch, numbers that pale compared to the past.
Karachi-based ornithologist Zohaib Ahmed said climate change is not the sole factor; man-made habitat degradation, pollution, and illegal hunting also contribute significantly. “Human-induced changes and rampant interference, often justified by development, expose these fragile wetlands to severe threats,” Ahmed said. He warned that Pakistan risks losing its status as a preferred migratory stopover if current trends continue.
While Sindh faces a dire situation, other provinces are affected too. In Punjab, officials estimate a similar gradual decline linked to climate change factors such as water shortages, seasonal disturbances, and heat spells. Deputy Chief of Wildlife Rangers Punjab, Mudasser Hasan, confirmed the deteriorating health of Pakistan’s wetlands.
Pakistan ranks among the world’s top ten countries most vulnerable to climate change, with erratic monsoons, glacial melt, and rising temperatures putting unprecedented pressure on ecosystems crucial to bird migration.
Despite these challenges, some officials claim that poaching and trapping have lessened. Hasan said hunting is not the major threat, emphasizing that climate change is the primary concern and that anti-poaching laws have been strengthened.
However, Ahmed disputes this, especially regarding Sindh, asserting that hunting and trapping remain unchecked in areas like the Kirthar mountain range and Karachi’s coastal belt. He pointed out that illegal bird markets continue to sell migratory species openly, undermining conservation and contributing to their decline.
