KARACHI: “The health of wetlands has been severely impacted by water stress, untreated industrial waste, land reclamation, and agricultural runoff. These factors continue to shrink wetland areas, diminishing their ecological value.” This was stated by WWF-Pakistan in its press release issued on World Wetlands Day 2025. It further said that species like the Indus River dolphin, freshwater turtles, and migratory birds face serious threats from the degradation of the wetlands in Pakistan. WWF-Pakistan underscored the urgent need to protect and restore the country’s wetlands, which serve as lifelines for biodiversity, local communities, and sustainable development.
Pakistan is home to more than 240 significant wetlands, covering an estimated 10% of the country’s land area. These wetlands offer livelihood support to local communities and provide essential ecosystem services, including water filtration, carbon storage, flood control, and habitat for countless species, including migratory birds and commercially important fish. However, these fragile ecosystems are under severe threat due to water scarcity, pollution, encroachment, unregulated development, climate change, and unsustainable resource extraction.
Muhammad Jamshed Iqbal Chaudhry, Senior Manager, Research and Conservation, WWF-Pakistan, remarked that wetlands are a lifeline for millions of Pakistanis, especially communities relying on fisheries, agriculture, and tourism. The Ramsar-listed wetlands in Pakistan, such as Keenjhar Lake, Haleji Lake, Chashma Barrage, and Jiwani Coastal Wetlands, are critical breeding and feeding grounds for migratory birds, including white-headed ducks, flamingos, cranes, and the critically endangered Siberian crane. Wetlands also serve as nature’s buffer against climate change, absorbing excess floodwaters and reducing the impact of extreme weather events. “Conserving wetlands is, therefore, not just an environmental imperative but a social and economic necessity”, he urged.
WWF-Pakistan is actively working to conserve and restore wetlands through various initiatives, including the implementation of community-based conservation projects in the Indus Delta, Punjab’s wetlands, and Balochistan’s coastal ecosystems. The initiatives, including the Water Resource Accountability in Pakistan (WRAP) and Recharge Pakistan (RP), demonstrate the use of nature-based solutions (NbS) to address the challenges to wetlands.
WWF-Pakistan has improved engagement with policymakers to strengthen wetland protection laws and promote sustainable water management practices. Various initiatives are underway to train local communities in sustainable fishing, eco-tourism, and alternative livelihoods to reduce pressure on wetland resources. These efforts integrate biodiversity conservation with community resilience, aligning with the global vision of sustaining ecosystems for the future.
This year’s theme, “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future,” emphasizes wetlands’ critical role in supporting livelihoods, food security, water regulation, and climate resilience for future generations. WWF-Pakistan urges government agencies, civil society, businesses, and local communities to take collective action for the conservation of wetlands as they support local livelihoods and offer ecosystem services. Simple actions such as reducing water wastage, preventing plastic pollution, promoting sustainable agriculture, and participating in wetland clean-up activities can contribute to preserving these invaluable ecosystems.