Sindh, once a cherished refuge for migratory birds fleeing the harsh winters of Siberia, is witnessing a devastating collapse in its avian population. According to the Sindh Wildlife Department’s 2024-25 waterfowl census, the number of migratory birds in the province has plummeted by over 50 per cent in just two years — from 1.2 million in 2023 to merely 545,000 in 2025.
This staggering decline is being attributed largely to the intensifying impacts of climate change, which are taking a heavy toll on the country’s once-thriving wetlands. These vital ecosystems are rapidly deteriorating under the combined pressure of prolonged drought, shrinking water bodies, and widespread habitat degradation.
Experts warn that unless urgent action is taken, many species that traditionally pass through or winter in Pakistan may never return.
“Hunters and poachers are there, but they do not pose a major threat to migratory birds. It’s climate change that really haunts them,” said Hasan, a senior official with the Sindh Wildlife Department. He added that the provincial government has taken steps to tighten anti-wildlife hunting laws in recent years.
However, not all experts share this view.
Ahmed, a leading ornithologist, disagrees with the official narrative, particularly when it comes to Sindh. “At least for Sindh, I can say with surety that there is no drop in hunting and trapping of migratory birds, especially in the Kirthar mountain range and Karachi’s coastal belt,” he stated.
He further pointed out that illegal bird markets continue to operate with impunity, openly selling several migratory species. “These black markets completely undermine our conservation efforts and are a direct factor in the sharp decline of these birds,” he said.
The deteriorating state of Sindh’s wetlands and the mixed enforcement of conservation laws raise urgent questions about Pakistan’s environmental priorities. As both climate change and human threats continue to bear down on these fragile ecosystems, time may be running out for many of the world’s migratory bird species that once found sanctuary here.
