PAKISTAN is one of the major victims of the climate change phenomenon, as evidenced by devastating floods and extreme weather events in recent times. The biodiversity across Pakistan is also experiencing these crises and issues, and, threfore, deserves to have some level of official attention.

Even our national animal, markhor, is listed as near threatened on the Red List that is issued by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Other species, such as the Indian leopard, pangolin, snow leopard, Indus River dolphin, musk deer, Marco Polo sheep, Siberian ibex, urial and Sindh ibex, can be found with distinct statuses on the IUCN Red List.

Pakistan’s biodiversity faces the same threats that global biodiversity faces. I was recently having a random conver-sation with a old friend who lives in the Mankial valley of the upper Swat district. During the chat, the matter of threats to local biodiversity cropped up, and we talked for some time about that. What he told me that day was really eye-opening stuff for me.

His valley is known for being home to some rare and unique species, such as markhor, snow leopard, ibex, and bear. He told me about the illegal hunting and poaching practices in the region that are facilitated by political backing. He mentioned that musk deer and bears are hunted illegally as a matter of routine.

Furthermore, adult bears are hunted and killed, and their cubs are sold in the animal market. A pair of bear cubs can easily fetch Rs75,000 in the market, while the fat of hunted bears is sold at an exorbitant price.

I asked him who buys them, and my friend explained that dealers come from across the country to purchase the hunted animals and items. He also pointed out that some local people have turned illegal hunting into their sole profession. Influ- ential groups come and hunt freely with the help of local guides, who, in turn, often have the support of political eleders of the area.

There is evidence of illegal markhor hunting as well. Sometimes the illegal hunters are arrested, but, again, political support leads to their release.

Some plant species are sold at high prices in the market, especially those that supposedly have medicinal purposes. My friend himself witnessed a deal between a local resident and a dealer in which the former sold a wild plant he called ‘wild garlic’ for as much as Rs65,000. The plant is found exclusively at extremely high altitudes.

If the authorities care for wildlife as well as flora and fauna, they should act now to save them for future generations.

Ubaid Sahil
Swat

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2024