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PESHAWAR, Nov 05 (APP): As the golden hues of autumn fade and a chill settles across Pakistan, a familiar rhythm returns to the skies of Khyber Pakthunkhwa where flutter of wings and songs of air travelers attract many.
With the start of November, thousands of migratory birds embark on a perilous journey from the frozen landscapes of Central Asia and Siberia, finding sanctuary in the wetlands, deserts, and forests of Pakistan.
This annual migration, a centuries-old spectacle, transforms Pakistan into a living mosaic of colour and sound, which is a known sanctuary for houbara bustards, cranes, ducks, geese, and countless other species seeking refuge from the bitter northern cold and thrive here.
“Pakistan lies at the crossroads of the great Indus Flyway,” explained Dr. Mumtaz Malik, former Chief Conservator of Wildlife while talking to APP on Wednesday. “From the snow-capped mountains of the Karakoram and Hindu Kush of Chitral, Dir, Khyber Kohat and DI Khan, these birds follow the Indus River down to the plains of Sindh, stopping in wetlands and arid zones along the way.”
The country’s expanding forest cover and increasing wildlife habitats have made it an ideal destination for these seasonal visitors. Wetlands in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan now host vast flocks of birds including pintails, mallards, teals, pelicans, cranes, and the elusive houbara bustard which is both revered and endangered.
Among these feathered guests, the houbara bustard holds a special place for falconers. Known for its graceful gait and shy demeanor, the houbara travels in disciplined flocks led by a “chieftain,” Dr. Mumtaz Malik said. “If the leader perishes, the deputy takes charge and guides the group to safety. Their sense of community is remarkable.”
However, the houbara’s existence is fraught with peril. Sensitive by nature, it avoids routes where danger has once been sensed, sometimes changing its traditional paths altogether. The bird feeds on insects, wild fruits, and small reptiles which are all abundant in Pakistan’s arid zones like Dera Ismail Khan, Rahim Yar Khan, and Cholistan.
But its fragility extends beyond migration, he said, adding “A houbara lays just two eggs, and often the first chick kills the second.” “It can take up to five years for a houbara to find a new mate if one is lost.”
Despite conservation efforts, these majestic visitors face growing threats. Illegal hunting and poaching remain widespread, while climate change continues to shrink wetlands and breeding grounds.
“The rivalry between siblings, poaching, and habitat loss are all pushing populations downward,” said Dr. Mumtaz Malik. “Species like the Siberian crane, white-backed vulture, and saker falcon are now at risk.”
He said over 90 species of wildlife are considered endangered or vulnerable, including the Indus dolphin, Baluchistan bear, and green turtle.
Amid these challenges, there is hope for conservation and protection of migratory birds in Pakistan. Conservation initiatives like the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami Project (BTTP) and the Prime Minister’s Green Pakistan programs are transforming the forests landscape.
Muhammad Ibrahim Khan, Deputy Project Director of 10 BTTP, said, “With expanding forest cover, the frequency of migratory birds has increased manifold. New forests like Ghari Chandan in Peshawar and DI Khan have become thriving breeding grounds for migratory birds.”
National parks from Saiful Maluk to Ayubia and Chitral Gol are now central to Pakistan’s wildlife protection strategy.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the government has gone a step further for wildlife and migratory bird conservation. Salahuddin Khan, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), said the province recently launched a rewilding project, releasing deer species into the forests of Kohat monitored by drones. “We are combining technology with community engagement to restore nature’s balance and educate communities about the significance of wildlife and migratory birds,” he added.
For Pakistan’s conservationists, the battle is not just against poachers, timber mafia, illegal hunters or pollution, but against climate change. “Wildlife protection cannot succeed without community support,” urged Dr. Malik. “These birds have no borders and their protection must also be boundless.”
The NGOs need to step in for the education of communities while wildlife departments require strict enforcement of its laws. Police like powers to wildlife staff will help ensure curbing illegal hunting practices besides increase of wildlife protected areas to enhance breeding grounds for houbara and other seasonal birds to thrive.
As winter deepens and the wetlands shimmer under a softer sun, Pakistan once again becomes a refuge not just for the birds escaping the freeze, but for a fleeting glimpse of the harmony between man and nature.
Each flutter of wings across the Indus skies is a whisper of resilience, which is a reminder that even in an age of loss, the rhythm of birds’ migration continues, as timeless as the rivers that guide it.