Pakistan – a birdwatchers’ haven

The generally warm and humid climate of Pakistan attracts millions of migratory birds from Sibera, Euorpe and the CARs every year through the famous Indus Flyway or the Green Route. And technically speaking the International Migratory Bird Route Number 4 that commences from the Karakoram, Hindu Kush and Suleiman mountain ranges inside Pakistan along the Indus River down to its delta near the Arabia Sea, is one of the most popular and populous route for the migratory birds escaping the harsh winters of Siberia.

Sometime back, I happen to be visiting a manmade lake near Rahim Yar Khan where the saline water is being pumped out of the saline hit lands of the Southern Punjab to make these lands cultivable. And what an amazing scene it was. I had never seen in my life so many birds at one place. Once they flew, the whole sky seemed to be turned into darkness. I saw for the first time in my life black swans majestically flying overhead and then landing into the green water of the lake. It was a life time experience.

There are a number of wetlands spread all over Pakistan that provide sanctuary not only to the migratory birds but also the local birds as well. Some of these are Haleji Lake (near Karachi), Uchali wetlands, Rasool Barrage wildlife sanctuary, Drigh Lake and Kalri Lake. The numerous National Parks located in Pakistan are also house to some rare and indigenous birds. Western Tragopan pheasant (Tragopan melanocephalus) is one of the rare species that exists in the northerly mountains and the Macharia National Park, where it is being bred and chances are that this beautiful bird will be able to be saved of its near extinction in Pakistan.

This is for the information of bird lovers and birdwatchers all over the world to watch the birds landing, flipping in water and flying overhead majestically and beautifully as I did years before.

Read more:
Bird watching in Pakistan (Pakistanpaedia)
Migratory Birds Route Number-4 (SAJS)