Pollution in Lahore banishes 170 bird species

Experts cite lack of trees, air pollution and shortage of water in rivers as reasons

LAHORE:

Climate change has not only impacted humans, but also cast devastating effects on wildlife, which in turn exacerbates the environment, particularly in the large cities like Lahore.

In the last few decades, more than 170 species of birds have become extinct from the Punjab capital – the 'City of Gardens'.

According to environment experts and mercenaries, the climate change impact has reached a point where the pet animals or even those kept in zoos and wildlife parks are not immune.

Lahore is the second biggest city in Pakistan and the capital of the Punjab province. It is also known as the 'City of Gardens' because of its many parks and gardens. This city is known for its rich culture and lively atmosphere.

Environment experts attribute the problem to a lack of trees, increase in air pollution, decrease in agricultural area, surge in urban population and shortage of water in rivers because of the climate change as the reasons for declining wildlife in cities.

"There were many hunting grounds in and around Lahore," different types of wild animals and birds were to be found," Dr Zulafiqar Ali, the head of the Zoology Department at the Punjab University, told The Express Tribune.

According to a study of the Punjab University, Dr Ali pointed out, there were 250 species of birds in Lahore, out of which only 70 or 80 species remain today. Other, he added, no longer live in Lahore because of various climate-related impacts.

"The reason for the extinction or migration of wild birds is the abundance of non-native trees in Lahore. Birds don't nest on them and do not eat their fruits and leaves of exotic trees," Dr Ali explained.

Another noticeable impact of climate change is that the number of migratory birds coming to Pakistan is not only decreasing, but they are also changing their habitats, according to the experts.

Similarly, repeated sprays by the city's municipal administrations, such as dengue sprays, or the use of chemicals on crops against harmful insects and bugs – which could serve as food for birds – are also taking their toll on wildlife. These problems are not restricted to wildlife alone. Animals in captivity, pets, zoos and wildlife parks etc, are also being affected by these phenomena. Veterinary doctors suggested that these problems change the breeding cycles of the captive animals.

"We try to provide better food and environment to the animals and birds kept in captivity. For this reason, the age of some animals and birds increases in captivity," said Dr Warda Gul, veterinary officer at the Lahore Zoo. "But it is a fact that climate change has an impact on them," Dr Gul told The Express Tribune, pointing to a longer duration of the summer and shorter winter span over the last few decades. "So due to this the breeding circle of animals and birds is affected."

Badar Munir, a wildlife expert and member of World Wildlife Fund's (WWF) advisory council, says that the climate change cannot be fully halted but its deteriorating impacts could be controlled with sound policies and collective efforts.

"With more plantations, and by controlling water pollution, environmental pollution, plastic pollution, we can definitely reduce the effects of climate change," he told The Express Tribune. "The atmosphere of Lahore where the chirping of nightingale, kingfisher, sparrow and parrot could be heard loud, is now filled with crows, and other scavengers and carrion-eating birds," he said.

Munir is not in favour of planting exotic trees rather stresses the need for more domestic species of flora. According to him tress would restore the beauty of the city and sustain its wildlife well.

"If we want to bring back the wildlife and restore the beauty, then we have to plant more native trees," he said. "There is a need to ban the plantation of exotic trees," Munir suggested.