KARACHI:
Pakistan is known as the homeland of exotic animals and birds because of its biodiversity including endemic wildlife species. From Indus River dolphins and Markhor to snow leopards, and Pangolins, Pakistan has it all. However, many of these exotic animals are faced with the risk of extinction. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Pakistan’s Climate Change Ministry have compiled a “Red List” of critically endangered species. Among these are the snow leopards, Markhors, Marco Polo sheep, Ladakh urial, woolly flying squirrel, Indus River dolphin, golden mahaseer, long-billed vultures, and several others.
Climate change and anthropogenic activity are the main causes of extinction. Climate-related events such as heavy rainfall or droughts are now destroying habitats for wildlife. Anthropogenic activities such as habitat fragmentation, poaching, hunting, killing, and environmentally damaging practices are also threatening the wildlife’s survival.
We should take the extinction of animals seriously and take measures to save and protect wildlife. The public should be discouraged from undertaking activities that threaten wildlife and must be informed of the ways to protect them. If we fail to take timely measures, we will lose our wildlife, which will harm our ecosystem and the food chain.
Ariba Ali
Hyderabad
Published in The Express Tribune, August 17th, 2022.
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