Pakistan’s Wildlife Faces Floods, Habitat Loss, and Hunting Threats
Pakistan’s devastating floods — among the worst in recent memory — have not only displaced millions of people but also wreaked havoc on the country’s fragile wildlife. Forests, rangelands, and wetlands that once sustained biodiversity have been submerged, leaving animals desperate for survival.
Displacement and Human-Wildlife Conflict
Species including jackals, wild boars, chinkara antelope, and jungle cats have been forced into villages in search of food and shelter. These encounters often spark conflict, with attacks on livestock leading to retaliatory killings that further endanger rare species. Snakes, including pythons, have also entered communities, with many killed out of fear. Stagnant water has created breeding grounds for disease-carrying insects, increasing risks to both livestock and wild populations.
Impact on Aquatic Life
Floodwaters have swept endangered Indus River dolphins, freshwater turtles, and crocodiles into irrigation canals, where survival is unlikely. The Indus dolphin — found almost exclusively in Pakistan — is often stranded far from its habitat, a recurring ecological tragedy. Rescue efforts continue but resources remain limited.
Mangroves at Risk
Along the Arabian Sea, mangroves face a critical turning point. The fresh water carried by floods could help regenerate these vital coastal forests. However, decades of untreated sewage and industrial waste have destroyed large portions, weakening natural defences against storms and rising seas. Without clean water and active conservation, mangroves may never recover fully.
Wildlife Across Borders and Mountains
Floods also bring deer from across the Indian border, often injured by debris and requiring treatment before release. In northern Pakistan, glacial floods have displaced Himalayan ibex and destroyed habitats for birds, rodents, and reptiles, further straining ecosystems.
The Dual Nature of Floods
Despite the devastation, floods can also bring renewal. Floodplains sprout fresh grasses, benefiting herbivores like deer and wild cattle. Periodic flooding boosts productivity in rangelands and wetlands, attracting migratory birds and increasing fish populations. Yet these benefits can only be realized if natural floodplains are preserved from human encroachment.
Tourism and Trophy Hunting
Globally, eco-tourism supports conservation. In Pakistan, however, genuine wildlife tourism is almost absent. The only wildlife-related tourism is trophy hunting, where rare species are killed for sport. Each year, hunting parties from Gulf and Arab countries arrive in regions like Cholistan to hunt houbara bustards and other species. This practice generates controversy, as it undermines conservation efforts and highlights the lack of sustainable alternatives.
The Way Forward
Experts stress the need for wildlife corridors, restored habitats, and protection of wetlands and forests. These measures safeguard both biodiversity and human communities from the increasing risks of floods and climate change. Without action, Pakistan risks losing not just species, but also the ecological balance that sustains its natural heritage.
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