Conservationists have issued a stark warning on World Wildlife Day, calling for urgent action against the escalating threats of illegal wildlife trade and unsustainable harvesting that are critically endangering Pakistan’s diverse natural heritage.
According to WWF Pakistan’s report today, functioning as both a source and a transit country for wildlife trafficking, Pakistan faces a severe conservation challenge. The illicit trade, which targets everything from reptiles and mammals to valuable medicinal flora, continues to degrade fragile ecosystems and deplete natural resources essential for local communities.
In response, WWF-Pakistan is collaborating with government departments and various partners to bolster enforcement mechanisms and enhance inter-agency coordination. These efforts focus on building the capacity of frontline staff and judicial officials to more effectively prosecute wildlife-related offences.
‘We have developed a comprehensive training curriculum and an Illegal Wildlife Trade Prevention Strategy and are conducting trainings nationwide on SMART monitoring, species identification, wildlife crime investigation, ranger safety, safe animal handling, and community engagement,’ stated Muhammad Jamshed Iqbal Chaudhry, Senior Manager Conservation at WWF-Pakistan.
He added that awareness campaigns have been extensive, noting, ‘More than 1,200 individuals- including community members, students, journalists, and local leaders- have been engaged through awareness sessions and webinars.’
A recent collaboration at Deva Vatala National Park with local communities and the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife Department has already demonstrated tangible results. Coordinated enforcement led to the rescue and release of several species, including rock pythons, Indian pangolins, barking deer, and Alexanderine parakeets.
‘Effective conservation cannot succeed without strong enforcement and informed communities,’ said Rab Nawaz, Senior Director Programmes at WWF-Pakistan. ‘By strengthening institutional capacity and engaging local stakeholders, we are improving Pakistan’s ability to prevent wildlife crime and protect vulnerable species before they disappear from the wild.’
Highlighting the 2026 theme, ‘Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving health, heritage and livelihoods’, Mr Nawaz drew attention to another critical area of concern. ‘Pakistan is home to a rich diversity of medicinal and aromatic plants, including Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari), Viola odorata (banafsha), Nardostachys jatamansi (Jatamansi), and Saussurea costus (Kuth), which are widely used in traditional medicine and the herbal industry,’ he explained.
Species such as Commiphora wightii (Guggal) in arid regions and high-altitude plants like Ephedera and Bergenia ciliata (Zakhm-e-hayat) are also heavily sourced for their medicinal properties.
However, rising commercial demand has fuelled widespread unsustainable harvesting. High-value species like Kuth, Jatamansi, and Guggal are often extracted indiscriminately, with entire plants being removed, severely limiting their natural ability to regenerate. This overexploitation imperils not only the species but also the stability of their ecosystems and the livelihoods dependent on them.
‘Medicinal and aromatic plants are deeply intertwined with Pakistan’s natural heritage, healthcare systems, and rural economies,’ Mr Nawaz added. ‘Protecting these species through sustainable harvesting, stronger regulation, and community engagement is essential to safeguard both biodiversity and livelihoods for future generations.’
The urgency of the situation is reflected in global statistics, which show that more than 20 per cent of all medicinal plant species are now threatened with extinction due to habitat loss, climate change, and the illegal trade.