The number of migratory birds and local birds coming from Siberia has been unusually low for several years. Climate change has caused severe damage to the habitat of these birds, especially in Pakistan. The number of most species has decreased, and conflicts in the region have also disrupted the travel of migratory birds. Illegal hunting and trapping of birds, especially in the province of Sindh, have also caused severe damage to the population of innocent birds.
Senior ecologist and IUCN commission member in Ecosystem Management, Rafi-ul-Haq, said that the major cause of the decrease in the arrival of migratory birds in Pakistan is climate change, which is further exacerbated by ongoing conflicts in the region. Migration of birds to Pakistan occurs from Siberia through two routes: the Indus Flyway parallel to the river Sindh and the coast, where migratory birds continue their journey after brief stops. The migration routes of these birds have been severely affected due to the ongoing conflicts in the region.
Furthermore, global warming has disrupted the conditions of the lakes. These lakes were the habitats of these aquatic birds, where they could find food and shelter. They said that the Sindh Wildlife Department lacks resources and is unable to provide the required training to employees, hindering the documentation of bird counts. The lack of modern technology also complicates the issue. Surveys of Sindh’s wetlands, Keenjhar Lake, and Sangharia Range have not been conducted yet, nor have any updated documents been prepared.
Although relevant agencies have established comprehensive laws, there is a need for enforcement of these laws. Discouraging illegal hunting and trapping practices and enforcing penalties according to the law will be crucial. In our society, hunting wildlife and birds has become a symbol of bravery, and glorifying hunting with images on social media has become a matter of pride. A campaign to raise awareness is essential to end this mindset and practice. Whether they are migratory birds, local birds, or other wildlife, solid measures need to be taken to protect them.
Biologist, ecologist, and Conservationist Dr. Mansoor Qazi also attributed the decrease in bird populations, especially aquatic birds, to global issues such as climate change. He said that the natural habitat of these birds has been severely affected by climate change, where their lives are preserved in balanced seasons, not too hot or too cold. Additionally, humans have impacted bird habitats by cutting down trees. He suggested planting various native trees, especially along lakes and riversides, to provide birds with nesting areas, shelter, and food. These trees also help in conserving water which ultimately keeps the lakes’ water levels steady.
Salman Baloch, working for the Conservation of Wildlife, highlighted various reasons for the decrease in migratory and local bird populations. He stated that due to climate change and global warming, bird habitats have been severely affected, leading to an unusual decline in the populations of both migratory and local birds worldwide.
In this regard, some bird species have experienced a decrease of up to 40%. Especially in Pakistan, and specifically in Sindh, the destruction of flora and fauna due to natural and human-made factors has been a significant cause of the unusual decrease in populations of migratory and local birds.
The major element in this is the deforestation of forests and their conversion into agricultural lands and residential projects. Subsequently, illegal hunting and trapping have inflicted irreparable damage on the populations of migratory and local birds. Salman Baloch mentioned that open hunting and trading of migratory and local birds have been ongoing in Sindh for several years.
In Karachi, a bird market has been established for many years where dwindling birds are bought and sold. In addition, people go into wetlands to capture birds, especially parrot chicks. Parrot chicks are bought at a high price, so people can teach them to talk. He said that law enforcement and awareness are essential for the conservation of these birds.
According to investigations from various sources, the trend of decrease in migratory and local bird populations has been ongoing for 30 years. However, the Sindh government has not made any practical efforts to conserve the rich natural beauty of Sindh and its land. Although the Sindh Wildlife Department has formulated strict laws, the lack of enforcement casts doubt on their effectiveness.
Moreover, the Sindh Wildlife Department has not conducted a complete waterfowl census to determine the exact numbers of migratory and local birds. A survey of 29 lakes and aquatic habitats was conducted in 1987, where the population of these birds was 350,060. Only twice in 1988 and 1989, international funding enabled aerial surveys to be conducted, which revealed 1,088,934 and 850,640 birds, respectively. Still, the recent surveys have not been comprehensive enough, and the absence of modern technology and trained staff further hinder the counting of birds and monitoring of their populations.
In Sindh, the information from the last eight years of bird census goes as follows: in 2017, 153,916 birds were counted in 12 lakes, in 2018, 204,445 birds were counted in 15 aquatic habitats, in 2019, 98,158 birds were counted in 16 lakes, in 2020, 742,943 birds were spotted across 26 lakes, in 2021, a survey was conducted in 22 aquatic habitats with 612,397 birds counted, in 2022, a survey of 30 lakes recorded 664,537 birds, in 2023, 27 lakes were surveyed with 613,851 birds counted, in 2024, a survey of 29 aquatic habitats counted 639,122 birds.
It is important to note that these bird surveys are conducted by the Sindh Wildlife Department every January. The surveys include both migratory and local birds, but the focus is primarily on counting the migratory birds. Bird counts are mostly carried out in lakes, including Langh Lake in Khairpur, Dhrigh Lake, Hum Lake, Sufi Anwar Shah in Ghotki district, Menhchar Lake in Jamshoro, Kinjhar Lake in Thatta, Hadriaro Lake, Haleji Lake, as well as in Karachi, Badin, Nangar Parkar, Sanghar, Khairpur, Hyderabad, and other districts in the sweet water lakes and coastal areas where bird counts are conducted.
Wildlife photographer Zohaib Ahmed noted that several aquatic habitats, including Karachi and interior Sindh, have come under encroachment. These locations are being used for agricultural lands and fish farming, or roads and residential projects have been built on them. Due to the lack of rainfall in Sindh for several years, drought has prevailed, causing many small lakes to dry up. However, in 2010 and 2022, heavy rainfall led to floods, reviving dried-up lakes and resulting in the re-population of previously dried-up lakes. But when a habitat is eliminated and then temporarily repopulated, migratory birds do not immediately return. However, some portion of birds may migrate back. The critical factor is providing these birds with a stable foundation to feel safe, find food, shelter, and protection to facilitate them settling in their habitats.
An officer of the Sindh Wildlife Department mentioned that every province shows the proper functions of its department. In this context, Sindh Wildlife Department too augments the bird count by expanding the census. He said that Sindh Wildlife Department allows limited-scale hunting activities. A permit is issued for a hunt on a short term period on a rolling basis. One license allows hunting 15 doves, 10 teetar, and 50 snipes. He added that only teetar, snipe, and dove hunting are permitted in Sindh; other bird species’ hunting is prohibited. Harsh legal action is taken against violators of these laws.
Experienced hunter Farooq Sheikh mentioned that for many years, he has been hunting birds, and currently, the number of migratory birds coming to Sindh has decreased significantly compared to the past. In the past, people engaged in leisure and limited-scale hunting activities for which the government issued permits. Over the past decade, bird hunting has become a commercial trade in interior Sindh. Tando Mohammad Khan, Sajawal, Keenjhar Lake, and other areas allow hunting on effective game reserves and privately on commercial grounds. A game reserve of one square kilometer is designated on which a hide is established and permits are sanctioned for five to eight hunters. One hide can be sold for around one and a half million. In this way, multiple hides are established for hunting migratory birds.
Deputy Conservator of Wildlife Mamtaz Sumro elaborated that the Sindh Wildlife Department faces challenges due to the lack of staff, funds, and vehicles, making it impossible to visit every lake for monitoring. Nearly 50% of the staff has retired, and due to restrictions on hiring, these positions remain vacant.