'Pakistan's wetlands face severe threats from climate crisis'
This handout photograph released on November 27, 2023, shows a flock of greater flamingo (phoenicopterus roseus) at the Clifton beach in Karachi. Tucked away in an unchecked urban sprawl, flamingos and Dalmatian pelicans laze in the shallow wetlands' azure waters near the Pakistani coast. Photo : AN
The health of wetlands has been severely impacted by water stress, untreated industrial waste, land reclamation and agricultural runoff. These factors continue to shrink wetland areas, diminishing their ecological value.
A report issued by the WWF-Pakistan on World Wetlands Day 2025 brought attention to the serious climate catastrophe that is resulting in species like the Indus River dolphin, freshwater turtles and migratory birds facing serious threats. It underscored the urgent need to protect and restore the country's wetlands, which serve as lifelines for biodiversity, local communities and sustainable development.
Pakistan is home to more than 240 significant wetlands, covering an estimated 10 per cent of the country's land area. These wetlands offer livelihood support to local communities and provide essential ecosystem services, including water filtration, carbon storage, flood control and habitat for countless species, including migratory birds and commercially important fish. However, these fragile ecosystems are under severe threat due to water scarcity, pollution, encroachment, unregulated development, climate change and unsustainable resource extraction.
WWF-Pakistan Research and Conservation, Senior Manager, Muhammad Jamshed Iqbal Chaudhry, remarked that wetlands are a lifeline for millions of Pakistanis, especially communities relying on fisheries, agriculture and tourism. The Ramsar-listed wetlands in Pakistan, such as Keenjhar Lake, Haleji Lake, Chashma Barrage, and Jiwani Coastal Wetlands, are critical breeding and feeding grounds for migratory birds, including white-headed ducks, flamingos, cranes, and the critically endangered Siberian crane.
Wetlands also serve as nature's buffer against climate change, absorbing excess floodwaters and reducing the impact of extreme weather events. "Conserving wetlands is, therefore, not just an environmental imperative but a social and economic necessity", he urged. WWF-Pakistan is actively working to conserve and restore wetlands through various initiatives, including the implementation of community-based conservation projects in the Indus Delta, Punjab's wetlands and Balochistan's coastal ecosystems. The initiatives, including the Water Resource Accountability in Pakistan (WRAP) and Recharge Pakistan (RP), demonstrate the use of nature-based solutions (NbS) to address the challenges to wetlands.
WWF-Pakistan has improved engagement with policymakers to strengthen wetland protection laws and promote sustainable water management practices. Various initiatives are underway to train local communities in sustainable fishing, eco-tourism, and alternative livelihoods to reduce pressure on wetland resources. These efforts integrate biodiversity conservation with community resilience, aligning with the global vision of sustaining ecosystems for the future.
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