Peshawar: Environmentalists have warned that Pakistan’s wetlands, mangroves and migratory birds are at risk due to India’s continued violations of the Indus Waters Treaty, climate change and reduced water flow in rivers.
According to Kashmir Media Service, if this situation continues, the historic migration of winter migratory birds coming to Pakistan may be affected and the survival of many rare species of birds may be threatened.
Former chief conservator of Wildlife Dr Muhammad Mumtaz Malik said that most of Pakistan’s wetlands depend on the Indus River system, hence the reduction in water flow is directly affecting the natural habitats of catfish, storks, ducks, pigeons and other migratory birds.
According to experts, climate change, erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, rapid melting of glaciers and rising temperatures have already severely damaged the country’s ecological balance.
Dr Muhammad Mumtaz Malik said Pakistan is located on the Indus Flyway, which is an important route for millions of migratory birds from Central Asia and Siberia. These birds travel to the coastal areas of Chitral, Dir, Kohat, Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan and stay on the lakes, reservoirs and rivers of Pakistan. However, due to shrinking reservoirs, illegal hunting and water scarcity, their breeding and survival are facing serious threats.
He added that rare species like the tabor are already vulnerable to illegal hunting and habitat loss, while water scarcity could prove to be even more dangerous for their existence.
According to experts, more than 90 wild species in Pakistan, including the Siberian stork, the osprey, the white-backed vulture and the Indus dolphin, are endangered.
Environmentalists have called on the international community, the World Bank and relevant institutions to take immediate and effective measures to fully restore the Indus Waters Treaty, protect water resources, prevent illegal hunting and protect water bodies so as to safeguard Pakistan’s natural ecosystem and biodiversity.
