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Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Climate shifts, droughts threaten migratory bird haven
Pakistan's once-thriving wetlands, long a sanctuary for millions of migratory birds fleeing Siberia's brutal winters, are witnessing a disturbing decline in avian visitors. Experts warn that a mix of prolonged drought, receding water levels, and growing habitat degradation is driving away these seasonal guests — some possibly for good. Sindh province, a traditional favorite for migratory birds, has seen the most drastic decline. According to the Sindh Wildlife Department's 2024-25 waterfowl count, the number of migratory birds fell sharply from 1.2 million in 2023 to 603,900 in 2024 and just 545,000 this year, a staggering drop of over 50% in two years. In 2023, the region experienced an exceptional influx of birds, buoyed by the lingering effects of the catastrophic 2022 floods that, while devastating for communities, temporarily revived Pakistan's lakes, streams, and lagoons. The excessive rainfall had replenished many wetlands, making them ideal resting spots for birds making the 4,500-kilometre (2,800-mile) journey from Siberia to India via the Indus Flyway, with stopovers at various lakes and water reservoirs in Pakistan. However, this year tells a different story. "Sindh has long been a refuge for migratory birds because of its unique biodiversity and its many lakes, lagoons and other waterways," Mumtaz Soomro, an official from the Sindh Wildlife Department, told Anadolu. "But those numbers have seen a gradual decline since 2023 due to receding water levels and droughts." Soomro explained that the latest survey — covering 40% of Sindh's territory — found notable shortages at key bird habitats, including Manchar, Keenjhar, Hamal and Haleji lakes, Nareri lagoon, and the Rann of Kutch wildlife sanctuary. "During the survey, our teams reported water shortages at most of the sites, including the marshy Rann of Kutch wildlife sanctuary," he said. Shadow of past flocks The migration is seasonal, with birds arriving by late August and departing by February. Among the over 50 recorded species were gulls, mallards, plovers, snipes, cormorants, cranes, and storks. The highest number of birds — 112,000 — was spotted at Nareri lagoon, followed by 91,000 at Rann of Kutch. But even these numbers are a shadow of past flocks. Zohaib Ahmed, a Karachi-based ornithologist, said climate change is not the only factor pushing migratory birds away from Pakistan, as man-made habitat degradation, pollution, and illegal hunting also play a significant role. "Human-induced changes and rampant human interference, often in the name of development, has exposed these fragile ecosystems of wetlands to a string of threats," Ahmed told Anadolu. Despite the alarming trends, some officials argue that threats like poaching and trapping have been brought under control. "Hunters and poachers are there but they do not pose a major threat to migratory birds. It's climate change that really haunts them," said Hasan. But not everyone agrees Ahmed, the ornithologist, contests this assessment, particularly in Sindh: "At least for Sindh, I can say with surety that there is no drop in hunting and trapping of migratory birds, especially in the Kirthar mountain range and Karachi's coastal belt." He added that several migratory species are still being openly sold at illegal bird markets, undermining conservation efforts and contributing further to the birds' decline.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Express Tribune
Climate shifts halve migratory bird numbers in Sindh
Listen to article Pakistan's once-thriving wetlands, long a sanctuary for millions of migratory birds fleeing Siberia's brutal winters, are witnessing a disturbing decline in avian visitors. Experts warn that a mix of prolonged drought, receding water levels, and growing habitat degradation is driving away these seasonal guests – some possibly for good. The southern Sindh province, a traditional favorite for migratory birds, has seen the most drastic decline. According to the Sindh Wildlife Department's 2024-25 waterfowl count, the number of migratory birds fell sharply from 1.2 million in 2023 to 603,900 in 2024 and just 545,000 this year, a staggering drop of over 50% in two years. In 2023, the region experienced an exceptional influx of birds, buoyed by the lingering effects of the catastrophic 2022 floods that, while devastating for communities, temporarily revived Pakistan's lakes, streams, and lagoons. The excessive rainfall had replenished many wetlands, making them ideal resting spots for birds making the 4,500-kilometre (2,800-mile) journey from Siberia to India via the Indus Flyway, with stopovers at various lakes and water reservoirs in Pakistan. However, this year tells a different story. 'Sindh has long been a refuge for migratory birds because of its unique biodiversity and its many lakes, lagoons and other waterways,' Mumtaz Soomro, an official from the Sindh Wildlife Department, told Anadolu. 'But those numbers have seen a gradual decline since 2023 due to receding water levels and droughts.' Soomro explained that the latest survey – covering 40% of Sindh's territory – found notable shortages at key bird habitats, including Manchar, Keenjhar, Hamal and Haleji lakes, Nareri lagoon, and the Rann of Kutch wildlife sanctuary. These sites, some of which are Ramsar-certified wetlands of international importance, have been pivotal stopovers for migratory birds for decades. 'During the survey, our teams reported water shortages at most of the sites, including the marshy Rann of Kutch wildlife sanctuary,' he said. Shadow of past flocks The migration is seasonal, with birds arriving by late August and departing by February. Among the over 50 recorded species were gulls, mallards, plovers, snipes, cormorants, cranes, and storks. The highest number of birds – 112,000 – was spotted at Nareri lagoon, followed by 91,000 at Rann of Kutch. But even these numbers are a shadow of past flocks. Zohaib Ahmed, a Karachi-based ornithologist, said climate change is not the only factor pushing migratory birds away from Pakistan, as man-made habitat degradation, pollution, and illegal hunting also play a significant role. 'Human-induced changes and rampant human interference, often in the name of development, has exposed these fragile ecosystems of wetlands to a string of threats,' Ahmed told Anadolu. He emphasized that if the current trends of environmental neglect persist, Pakistan could lose its status as a preferred stopover for these avian travelers. While the situation is particularly dire in Sindh, other provinces are also feeling the effects. In Punjab, although the latest survey is still underway, officials estimate a similar downward trend. 'The decline is not sudden. It's gradual, and the outcome of climate change, mainly water shortages, seasonal disturbances, and lingering heat spells,' said Mudasser Hasan, deputy chief at the Wildlife Rangers Punjab. Hasan confirmed that the health of Pakistan's wetlands has deteriorated in recent years, largely due to climate-related shifts. 'The arrival of these birds in Pakistan is a seasonal migration, and it has understandably been disturbed because of seasonal disturbances,' he noted. Pakistan ranks among the top 10 countries globally most vulnerable to climate change, with experts warning that erratic monsoon patterns, glacial melt, and rising temperatures are placing unprecedented pressure on natural ecosystems, including those vital to bird migration. Despite the alarming trends, some officials argue that threats like poaching and trapping have been brought under control. 'Hunters and poachers are there but they do not pose a major threat to migratory birds. It's climate change that really haunts them,' said Hasan, adding that provincial authorities have tightened anti-wildlife hunting laws in recent years. But not everyone agrees. Ahmed, the ornithologist, contests this assessment, particularly in Sindh: 'At least for Sindh, I can say with surety that there is no drop in hunting and trapping of migratory birds, especially in the Kirthar mountain range and Karachi's coastal belt.' He added that several migratory species are still being openly sold at illegal bird markets, undermining conservation efforts and contributing further to the birds' decline.
Express Tribune
20-05-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Wildlife dept opposes relocation of seized exotic monkeys to Lahore
Monkeys under the custody of the Ayesha Chundrigar Foundation, which they were handed over to after being rescued from an illegal consignment at Karachi airport. PHOTO: ACF Listen to article The Sindh Wildlife Department has formally opposed the proposed relocation of 26 exotic monkeys — Capuchins and Marmosets — from Karachi to Lahore, urging the Ministry of Climate Change (MoCC) to reconsider its directive issued on May 8, 2025. The department has called for adherence to legal protocols and scientific standards in dealing with the animals, which were seized in December 2024 at Jinnah international airport, after being illegally imported from South Africa using forged documents. The monkeys were confiscated by Pakistan Customs in violation of both national and international wildlife laws. Following the seizure, the animals were placed in the care of the Ayesha Chundrigar Foundation (ACF), a private animal welfare facility, on an emergency basis. Despite the matter being sub judice before a competent Customs court, the deputy conservator of wildlife, Ministry of Climate Change in Islamabad, directed the animals be transferred to a facility in Lahore. The Sindh Wildlife Department has raised serious concerns over the legality of this directive, warning that such action — without court approval — could compromise judicial proceedings and violate procedural integrity. In April 2025, the Sindh chief secretary convened a high-level virtual meeting to address the issue. Attendees included representatives from the Ministry of Climate Change, Pakistan Customs, Sindh Wildlife Department, WWF-Pakistan, and other key stakeholders. Subsequently, a technical committee was constituted by the federal secretary MoCC to assess the case and provide evidence-based recommendations grounded in law, science, and animal welfare. The joint report submitted by the Sindh Wildlife Department and WWF-Pakistan concluded that relocating the primates to Lahore would be detrimental to their health and welfare. It stressed that such a move would contradict legal standards and sound scientific practices. The report pointed out that the proposed Lahore facility lacks the species-specific infrastructure and expertise required to care for tropical primates, citing previous failures in hygiene, veterinary care, behavioral enrichment, and animal welfare. Despite these findings, the Ministry of Climate Change issued a recommendation on May 8 for the transfer of the animals to Lahore — without consulting the constituted committee or reviewing its report. The Sindh Wildlife Department, in its formal response, expressed concern over the ministry's unilateral action and the absence of any communication with the trial court where the matter is currently under legal scrutiny. The department stated that all wildlife found within Sindh's territorial jurisdiction is protected under Section 21 of the Sindh Wildlife Protection Act, 2020. Moreover, Rule 43 of the Sindh Wildlife Protection Rules, 2022, places the legal onus on airlines or transport operators involved in illegal wildlife importation to facilitate either deportation or lawful disposal, based on the wildlife officer's recommendation. From a scientific standpoint, the department strongly objected to relocating the monkeys, which are highly sensitive New World primates adapted to stable tropical climates. Capuchins and Marmosets require specific environmental conditions, including temperature regulation, enriched enclosures, social groupings, specialized diets, and experienced veterinary care—resources currently lacking at the Lahore facility. A senior official from the Sindh Wildlife Department urged the Ministry of Climate Change to revisit the findings of the technical committee and to reconvene the multi-stakeholder forum before making any final decision.
Arab News
12-04-2025
- General
- Arab News
Sindh Wildlife Department reports nearly 15% drop in migratory birds amid drying wetlands
KARACHI: The number of migratory birds arriving in the wetlands of Pakistan's Sindh province has declined by nearly 15% compared to last year, according to the Sindh Wildlife Department on Saturday, raising alarm among conservationists about the impact of water scarcity and climate change on critical habitats. A recently completed 'Annual Waterfowl Survey' for the 2024–25 season recorded 545,258 migratory waterbirds at 30 major wetland sites across the province. The data show a 14.68% drop from the previous year's count of 639,122 birds, with both surveys covering around 40% of Sindh's total wetland area. 'The apparent reason for the decline in migratory bird numbers is the decrease in water bodies, as these migratory waterfowl are associated with wetlands and the availability of natural food therein,' Javed Ahmed Mehar, Conservator at the Sindh Wildlife Department, told Arab News. 'We plan to conduct a detailed study with relevant stakeholders to determine the causes of this decline [with greater certainty],' he added. Wildlife photographer Shahbaz Alam, who has documented Sindh's lakes and marshlands extensively, also attributed the drop to drying wetlands. 'These birds spend their day in the water, searching for food, and then move toward greener areas,' he said. 'With Sindh facing severe water shortages and the drying of wetlands due to climate change, the habitat is simply vanishing.' Describing the situation as 'very alarming,' Alam said he had also noticed the decline over the years. 'Where we once saw thousands [of birds], we now see only hundreds,' he told Arab News. Pakistan has 19 wetlands designated as Ramsar sites under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, an international treaty named after the Iranian city where it was adopted in 1971. The convention aims to conserve globally important wetlands and promote their sustainable use. Together, these Pakistani sites span 1.34 million hectares. More than half are located in Sindh, including Keenjhar Lake, Haleji Lake, the Indus Delta, Jubho Lagoon and the Rann of Kutch. These wetlands have long served as critical stopovers for migratory birds traveling along the Indus Flyway, an avian route from Siberia and Central Asia. Among the worst-hit areas this season was the Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary, which witnessed drought-like conditions, while Nareri Lagoon in Badin hosted the largest number— 155,068 birds. According to Rasheed Ahmed Khan, who led the survey, the decline is directly related to the decrease in rainfall and the reduction of water bodies and wetlands. 'Due to a severe lack of rainfall last year, almost all dams in Tharparkar remained dry. If reduced rainfall continues due to climate change, there could be a significant decrease in the future,' he warned. The survey team, comprising experts from the Sindh Wildlife Department and Zoological Survey of Pakistan, recorded over 57 species of migratory waterfowl. These included prominent sightings of Common Teal, Northern Shoveler, Indian Spot-Billed Duck, Cotton Pygmy Goose and Lesser Flamingo. Endangered species like the Great White Pelican were also documented, highlighting the region's ecological significance.
Arab News
11-04-2025
- General
- Arab News
‘Lodge of Hope': Karachi's Freemasons building repurposed for wildlife preservation
KARACHI: On Karachi's Strachan Road, where traffic rarely slows and history is easy to miss, a grand neoclassical building stands quietly between the past and the present. Known as the 'Lodge of Hope,' the building was Karachi's principal Freemasons Hall, one of four in the city during British rule and standing to date as a reflection of the city's colonial inheritance and postcolonial socio-political evolution. Flanked by tall Greek columns, their concrete softened by time, the building now houses the Sindh Wildlife Department's offices, a natural history museum and a public library. But long before schoolchildren and researchers wandered through its storied halls to marvel at preserved specimens of leopards, birds and reptiles, this was a place plagued by secrecy and suspicion. Built around 1914 after a storm destroyed the fraternity's earlier structure near the exclusive members-only Sindh Club, it served as the meeting place for members of the global freemason brotherhood whose rituals, symbols and origins trace back to the cathedral builders of medieval Europe. What began as an elite and exclusive institution gradually became the subject of public fascination and fear, its secrecy spawning stories, conspiracy theories and, in time, an outright ban. Freemasonry is a fraternal organization, not a religion, with roots in medieval stonemason guilds, emphasizing brotherhood, charity, and moral development through rituals and symbolic teachings. Controversy surrounding freemasonry stems from a few key factors, including its secretive nature, perceived elitism, religious and political affiliations, and the prevalence of conspiracy theories surrounding its alleged power and influence on world events. 'The masons are those who were called previously the Templars,' explained Dr. Kaleemullah Lashari, a historian and archaeologist who played a key role in the building's conservation between 2008 and 2011. 'The first Lodge, as the story goes, was constructed where the present Sindh Club [in Karachi] is and while the Sindh Club emerged, and the Sindh Club had this opportunity to expand itself, so the Freemasons Lodge was given another alternate place, which is here on Strachan Road.' Membership of the lodge was open to anyone — Muslim, Hindu, Parsi or Christian — who embraced the masonic ideals of fraternity and self-improvement but the secretive rituals and symbols raised suspicion. 'The people thought that they [freemasons] were doing something very secretive,' Lashari said. 'This is the reason that people used to call it 'jadu ka ghar' [house of magic].' Dr. Tauseef Ahmed Khan, an academic interested in Karachi's history, described the lodge as an 'elite club' during the years of British rule. 'Very few people were given membership, and they were all elite people, noblemen, bureaucrats, and then a lot of conspiracy theories were also spread,' he added. 'ESPIONAGE' Among the suspicions was that the Freemasons building was being used for espionage. Subsequently, in 1972, amid political turbulence and rising nationalist sentiment, a staff member of a foreign mission in Karachi, who happened to be a freemason, was accused of smuggling arms into Pakistan, leading to an official ban on freemasonry. Following this development, the building changed hands several times, briefly accommodating the Press Information Department before falling into disrepair. That changed in 1982 when the Sindh Wildlife Department moved in. 'This place has become a ray of hope for wildlife,' said Javed Ahmed Mahar, a conservator at the Sindh Wildlife Department. 'We have also worked on its decoration and embellishment. If you look at its comparative images in the last 2–3 years, you will see that there is a great difference here.' The building is also home to Sindh Wildlife Library and over 9,000 books. 'There are a lot of rare books here,' Shahid Ali Khan, the dedicated librarian who has served here for four decades, said. 'There are a lot of books that are not available in the market right now. These are handwritten books.' Despite its rebirth, the building still wears its past. Inspired by classical Greek temples with their ornate columns and symmetrical layout, the structure also incorporates Edwardian features such as dual reception rooms flanking the main entrance. Today, the building is not only architecturally unique but also functionally vital, one of the few government spaces in Pakistan that have been both historically preserved and actively repurposed. 'This is more than just an office or museum,' Mahar said, 'it's our cultural heritage.'
