Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry issued a stark warning on Saturday, stating that unchecked coastal development and pollution are placing Pakistan’s fragile marine ecosystems at severe risk, jeopardizing not only global biodiversity but also a domestic tourism sector valued at approximately $300 million annually.

In a message marking World Migratory Bird Day, Chaudhry underscored that the nation’s shoreline and marine environments are essential for hundreds of migratory bird species. He called for stronger national and regional collaboration to protect these coastal habitats, which serve as vital stopovers for birds traveling across continents.

The minister noted that these coastal zones are part of the Indus Flyway, one of the planet’s major migratory routes that links Central Asia and Siberia with the Arabian Sea. ‘Every year, thousands of birds depend on our wetlands, mangrove forests, estuaries, and tidal creeks for food and rest along their journey,’ he said.

Citing findings from the Sustainable Development Policy Institute and the Bank of Punjab, Chaudhry linked ecological health directly to the national economy, revealing that domestic coastal tourism generates roughly 0.1 percent of the GDP. ‘We want to strengthen the economy by connecting tourism with the wetland ecosystem,’ he added.

Pakistan’s participation in the global observance, which carries the theme ‘Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities,’ reflects its dedication to international conservation agreements, including the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and the Convention on Migratory Species, Chaudhry stated.

He identified several crucial habitats, including the tidal creeks and dense mangrove forests of the Indus Delta, as indispensable feeding and roosting grounds for migratory waterbirds. The coasts of Thatta and Keti Bandar consistently attract flamingos, herons, and ducks, while the Korangi Creek and Hawksbay areas near Karachi also function as important resting points.

Further west, Balochistan’s southern coastline, with its extensive mudflats and sandy shores, supports a large number of migratory birds. Locations such as Miani Hor and Sonmiani Bay are especially important, sustaining diverse avian and marine life throughout the migration season.

Chaudhry emphasized that these littoral regions are crucial not only for wildlife but also for local communities that depend on fishing and eco-tourism. He concluded that preserving these habitats requires a careful balance between economic growth and environmental protection, advocating for strengthened wetland safeguarding, mangrove restoration, and community-led conservation to ensure Pakistan’s coasts remain both ecologically vibrant and economically sustainable.