Wildlife crime, unsustainable harvesting threaten Pakistan’s biodiversity, WWF warns

Pakistan serves as both the source and transit route for illlicit trade of reptiles, mammals, to medicinal plants

LAHORE:

Marking World Wildlife Day 2026, WWF-Pakistan has called for urgent measures to combat illegal wildlife trade and unsustainable harvesting practices, warning that both are placing Pakistan’s biodiversity and natural heritage under increasing strain.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the organisation said wildlife trafficking remains a serious global conservation challenge, with Pakistan serving as both a source and transit route for illicit trade. From reptiles and mammals to high-value medicinal plants, illegal extraction continues to deplete natural resources and weaken fragile ecosystems that local communities depend on.

WWF-Pakistan stated it is working with government departments and partner organisations to strengthen enforcement mechanisms, improve inter-agency coordination, and enhance the capacity of frontline wildlife staff and judicial officials to prevent and prosecute wildlife-related crimes effectively.

WWF-Pakistan Senior Manager Conservation Muhammad Jamshed Iqbal Chaudhry said the organisation has developed a comprehensive training curriculum and an Illegal Wildlife Trade Prevention Strategy. Nationwide trainings are being conducted on SMART monitoring, species identification, wildlife crime investigation, ranger safety, safe animal handling, and community engagement. He added that more than 1,200 individuals, including community members, students, journalists, and local leaders, have participated in awareness sessions and webinars.

The organisation highlighted recent conservation efforts at Deva Vatala National Park, carried out in collaboration with local communities and the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife Department. These efforts led to the rescue and release of several species, including rock pythons, Indian pangolins, barking deer, and Alexandrine parakeets, demonstrating the impact of coordinated enforcement and community stewardship.

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WWF-Pakistan Senior Director Programmes Rab Nawaz said effective conservation requires both strong enforcement and informed communities. He noted that strengthening institutional capacity and engaging local stakeholders are essential to preventing wildlife crime and protecting vulnerable species.

Referring to the 2026 theme, “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods,” he said Pakistan is home to a diverse range of medicinal and aromatic plants, including Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari), Viola odorata (banafsha), Nardostachys jatamansi (Jatamansi), and Saussurea costus (Kuth), widely used in traditional medicine and the herbal industry. In arid regions such as Balochistan and Sindh, Commiphora wightii (Guggal) is harvested for its resin. In contrast, high-altitude species such as Ephedra and Bergenia ciliata (Zakhm-e-hayat) are collected from northern forests.

However, WWF-Pakistan warned that rising commercial demand has resulted in unsustainable harvesting practices. High-value species such as Kuth, Jatamansi, and Guggal are often uprooted entirely, limiting natural regeneration and threatening both ecosystem stability and the livelihoods of communities reliant on these resources.

Globally, more than 20 per cent of medicinal plant species are now threatened with extinction due to habitat loss, climate change, and illegal trade, underscoring the need for coordinated conservation action at national and international levels.