Habitat project for migratory birds launched

Hunting of these birds prohibited Nov-March

RAWALPINDI:

The Department of Wildlife has started work on the project of creating new and attractive habitats for the migratory birds which travel from colder regions, including Siberia, in winters in search of food and a warmer climate.

These habitats will be created along the flyway routes and temporary staying areas of these migratory water birds. The migratory birds will start arriving in Pakistan from Siberia after a month. The wetlands will be expanded in the flyway routes for these birds and such crops and vegetation will be grown in these wetlands which will provide food for these birds.

The arrival of the migratory water birds in Pakistan and Rawalpindi Division will begin in early November after the freezing cold weather in Siberia and the adjacent sea covers their food – fish and seaweed – under a thin layer of ice.

Their habitats in Pakistan include Indus River, forest areas of Chenab River and large lakes of Potohar region. In Rawalpindi Division, these waterfowl flock to Dharabi Lake, Mangala Dam, Rawal Dam and Neelam River in Chakwal District and start returning to colder regions towards the end of February.

They arrive in Pakistan in the form of swarms through a specific air route. The wildlife department has launched a project to increase wetlands in all areas below the flyway of these visiting waterfowl, to grow food in the lakes and wetlands along the preferred habitats of these birds.

Meanwhile, hunting of these water birds has also been prohibited from November to March 31. There will be a complete ban on hunting of these birds in the areas of fly routes, rivers, dams and lakes. Arrests will be made, cases will be registered and heavy fines will be imposed for poaching.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 1^st, 2022.