Climate change threatens migratory birds

As the World Migratory Bird Day was celebrated, an emphasis was laid on the impact of climate change on migratory birds in Pakistan.

The birds travel thousands of miles to reach Pakistan every year but climate change and increasing illegal hunting have posed threats to the species. Each year, millions of birds migrate from snowy regions to plains as winter begins. When the landscape in cold regions like Siberia freezes, these birds fly to warm regions like Pakistan in search of food.

However, natural disasters, human negligence, industrial pollution, deforestation, major changes in climate, droughts, prolonged winters, extreme rains and floods affect the habitats of migratory birds.

With dire effect of climate change on deserts, streams, lakes, and rivers, one in eight bird species is threatened with extinction, experts warn.

Khawaja Farid University of Engineering and Information Technology Agriculture Engineering Head Dr Yasir Niaz stated, “Among the migratory birds that come to Pakistan is the houbara bustard, Kunj, duck and quail. A major threat to these visiting birds, affected by changes in climate, is poachers. More than 1,400 species of birds have become extinct due to human activities.

He said 49% of the world's bird species are rapidly declining. A UN report has warned that the world's most vulnerable migratory birds and animals are at risk of extinction.

The wildlife protection department has increased fines and penalties for illegal hunting.

Wildlife Protection Deputy Director Sultan Anjum said, “Birds, like humans, are adapting to climate change to survive. According to research reports on ecology, if illegal hunting and increase in temperature are not stopped to secure their natural habitat, it is feared that our new generation will only be able to read the names of many birds in books instead of seeing them. Migratory birds are a reflection of nature as well as attraction for tourists, but decades of exploitation have brought them to the brink of extinction.”

According to United Nations Executive Secretary Amy Frankel, “No attention has been given to migratory animals; they will disappear if no consideration is given to increasing their population because they are already at the stage of disappearing from the world.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 12^th, 2024.