Ali Nawaz Rahimoo
With the arrival of winter, a beautiful natural spectacle unfolds in the skies over Sindh. Migratory birds travel thousands of miles from Siberia, Central Asia, Russia and other colder regions to the lakes, wetlands, riverbanks, coastal belt and mountainous areas of Sindh. They migrate to warmer regions to escape severe cold, find food and rest. Given its geographical location, water resources and the natural environment of the Indus Delta, Sindh has become an important destination for migratory birds. Unfortunately, this beautiful gift of nature faces serious threats from hunting, environmental degradation and human greed.
The migration of these birds is associated with the Indus Flyway, an important natural route connecting Central Asia and northern regions with Sindh. Pakistan has 19 wetlands designated as Ramsar sites under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, an international treaty named after the Iranian city where it was adopted in 1971. The convention aims to conserve globally important wetlands and promote their sustainable use. Together, these Pakistani sites span 1.34 million hectares. More than half are located in Sindh, including Keenjhar Lake, Haleji Lake, the Indus Delta, Jubho Lagoon and the Rann of Kutch.
These wetlands have long served as critical stopovers for migratory birds traveling along the Indus Flyway, an avian route from Siberia and Central Asia.
Their arrival usually begins in October and November. Many birds spend the winter months in Sindh before returning to their breeding grounds in spring. The Indus Delta, Keenjhar Lake, Haleji Lake, Manchar Lake, Nara wetlands, the Rann of Kutch and other wetlands of Sindh provide important feeding and resting grounds. The saline waters of the coastal belt, muddy shores and mangrove forests also offer natural habitats and shelter to numerous bird species.
Migratory birds visiting Sindh include ducks, geese, cranes, flamingos, pelicans, cormorants, gulls, terns and several other species, including pintails, mallards, gadwalls and teals. The Houbara bustard is also a well-known winter visitor to Pakistan, although its distribution varies across different regions. Some of these birds forage in water, while others feed on small fish and aquatic organisms. Others inhabit open plains and mountainous environments. Their presence is also an important indicator of the health of the natural environment.
Hunting in the mountainous areas of Sindh, particularly around the Kirthar Range and along the coastal belt, deserves special attention from an environmental conservation perspective. Reports from different parts of the country have, at various times, raised concerns about illegal hunting allegedly facilitated by influential landlords and hunters. Similar complaints are also heard at the local level in some parts of Sindh, where influential individuals are accused of disregarding hunting regulations or facilitating visiting hunters because of their social and political connections. Each such allegation requires a separate investigation. However, if a violation is established, no individual should be exempt from accountability because of their status or influence.
The question is whether foreign hunters who travel thousands of miles to visit Sindh should help protect its natural wealth or turn it into a source of personal entertainment. If a hunter engages in illegal hunting in protected areas with the assistance of influential local landlords or other individuals, this is not merely a violation of wildlife laws; it is also an injustice to Sindh’s natural heritage.
The responsibility of influential local people is even greater. Their influence should be used to protect wildlife, not to promote activities that damage bird populations and the natural environment. The arrival of foreign visitors is not, in itself, the problem. The real concern arises when hunting regulations are violated, the conditions of permits are breached, or local influence obstructs the enforcement of the law.
A clear distinction must be maintained between lawful activities conducted under regulated conditions and illegal hunting. The government should ensure transparent monitoring of hunting permits, designated areas, hunting seasons and prescribed limits. Anyone involved in illegal hunting should face action based on evidence, without discrimination.
According to a survey report published by the Sindh Wildlife Department in March 2026, a total of 654,287 migratory birds were recorded at 30 different sites across Sindh between December 2025 and February 2026. The presence of large numbers of birds in the Nara Wetlands, Rann of Kutch and other aquatic habitats highlights the ecological significance and rich biodiversity of the province.
These figures demonstrate that Sindh’s wetlands and water bodies serve as vital habitats and sanctuaries for migratory birds. Protecting these natural ecosystems is our collective responsibility. It is therefore essential to ensure an adequate supply of water and maintain the natural flow of water in lakes and wetlands to safeguard these important habitats for migratory birds. Protecting migratory birds requires maintaining natural water flows in Sindh’s lakes and wetlands, reducing marine pollution, ensuring the growth and preservation of mangrove forests, and strengthening surveillance during the hunting season. Involving local communities in conservation efforts, promoting scientific research on bird populations and taking prompt action on complaints of illegal hunting are also essential.
Migratory birds are not the private property of influential individuals or landlords who can exploit them at their discretion. They are part of our shared natural heritage, and their survival is closely linked to the ecological balance of the planet.
Sindh’s coastline and mountainous regions should become known for wildlife conservation rather than unregulated hunting. Only when the law is enforced equally against influential individuals and ordinary citizens will migratory birds continue to grace our lakes, shores and skies. Otherwise, human greed may gradually destroy this beautiful gift of nature.
