Peshawar – As winter migratory birds descend across Pakistan’s shimmering wetlands, conservationists feared that one of nature’s oldest migration stories is expected to approach a breaking point if Indus Water Treaty’s violations by India continue for a longer period of time.
From the mangrove forests of Sindh to the tranquil waters of Keenjhar and Haleji lakes, Pakistan’s wetlands, which are lifelines for wildlife, houbara, ducks, doves, falcons, cranes population and millions of people, are shrinking under the combined pressure of climate change and repeated violations of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) by India, experts warned.
These fragile ecosystems, nourished for centuries by the Indus River system, are now under severe threats. Fluctuating rainfall, rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, glacial melting, and declining freshwater flows amid IWT violations have threatened wildlife and migratory birds’ habitats that once sustained thriving populations by playing a key role in food chain.
Among the migratory species facing growing danger is the elusive houbara bustard —a coveted desert bird long admired by falconers and conservationists alike due to its quality meat.
“Wetlands in Pakistan and houbara bustard population are heavily dependent on the Indus basin,” said Dr Muhammad Mumtaz Malik, former Chief Conservator of Wildlife.
“Any reduction in river flows will directly affect migratory bird populations, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh and will likely collapse wetlands in the region.”
He warned that climate change has already begun disturbing the delicate ecological balance of wetlands across the country, as evident of floods and fluctuations in rainfall in recent years.
“As water levels fluctuate in western rivers and salinity increases, fish, birds, and plant species are struggling to survive in their natural habitats, accusing fascist Modi government of inaction that threatens living creatures,” he said.
Pakistan, ranked among the 10 countries most vulnerable to climate change, faced the dual threat of floods and droughts if tensions over water management continue to escalate.
Dr Malik cautioned that India cannot fully control water flows, especially during the monsoon season in the western rivers, due to the difficult mountain terrains and climate change-induced weather variations.
Excessive rainfall and accelerated glacier melt during summer besides geographical features of Hamalya could trigger devastating flash floods, while prolonged dry spells could leave wetlands parched and lifeless in the region.
“In such grim situations, wetlands become polluted with chemicals and waste, while droughts dry out lakes and marshes, reducing water availability for communities, migratory birds, bees population and wildlife alike,” he explained.
The negative consequences of climate change and global warming are already visible in Pakistan’s coastal belt, where reduced freshwater flow into the Indus Delta is allowing seawater intrusion to creep inland, damaging fertile agricultural land and negatively affecting mangrove forests growth. For thousands of fishermen, livestock, apiculturists and farming families in Sindh and Balochistan, wetlands are not just ecosystems but a source of food, income, and survival with dignity.
He said Pakistan occupies a unique geographical position along the historic Indus Flyway, one of Asia’s great migratory bird corridors.
“From the icy peaks of K2 Hamaliya to Khyber at Hindu Kush to the deserts of Cholistan and Tharparkar to shores of Karachi and Gwadar, migratory birds follow the Indus River down to Sindh and Balochistan coastal areas and sit in wetlands for water,” Dr Mumtaz Malik said.
Stretching from Chitral and Dir through Kohat, Dera Ismail Khan, Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab, and Sindh coastal areas, this natural corridor offers food, warmth, and sanctuary to countless bird species escaping the harsh weather of Central Asia and Siberia and coming to Pakistan.
Over the years, expanding forest cover and rehabilitated habitats have helped transform Pakistan into a favored winter refuge for pintails, mallards, teals, pelicans, cranes, geese, and the houbara bustard.
Yet the houbara’s survival remains precarious due to excessive poaching and illegal hunting by falconers.
The reduction of river flow due to IWT violations by India will likely to cast a shadow over the migratory routes, while shrinking wetlands and changing weather patterns may disrupt food chains and their breeding grounds.
Today, more than 90 species in Pakistan — including the Siberian crane, saker falcon, white-backed vulture, Indus dolphin, and Balochistan bear — are considered endangered or vulnerable.
“Wildlife protection cannot succeed without continuity of the river’s water flow,” Dr Malik stressed. “These birds cross borders quickly and their protection must also transcend boundaries.”
Experts are calling for continuity of IWT, stronger enforcement of wildlife laws, expanded protected areas, greater public awareness, and increased involvement of non-governmental organizations in conservation efforts.
As sunlight bathes Pakistan’s wetlands, the flock of migratory birds remains one of nature’s most enduring spectacles amid worries of IWT violations.
Every flock crossing the Indus skies carries a silent message about resilience, survival, and humanity’s relationship with nature.
Every landing on a quiet wetland is a reminder that ecosystems survive only when protected and flow of rivers water ensured.
And every passing houbara and cranes tell a timeless story of migration, endurance, and promise of return hoping for protected wetlands.
But conservationists warned that without urgent environmental action, stronger water cooperation, and restoration of the IWT framework, Pakistan risks losing not only its wetlands, but also the rich biodiversity and livelihoods that largely depend on them.
For future generations, irrespective of caste, colour and identity, the cost of IWT violations could be irreversible, the experts said, urging the international community and World Bank to force fascist Modi government to immediately reverse its illegal decision and restore the historic treaty to save precious wetlands and migratory birds from extinction.
