Our planet is home to all kinds of life, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. This diverse coexistence of life, known as ‘biodiversity’ is intrinsic to the world as we know it. Pakistan is a country rich in biodiversity, with diverse ecosystems ranging from mountains and forests to deserts and coastal areas. It is home to a wide array of plant and animal species, many of which are unique to the region. However, like many other countries, Pakistan is facing challenges in conserving its biodiversity due to various factors, including human activities and climate change.
According to the World Wildlife Federation’s 2022 Living Planet report, there has been a 69% decrease in wildlife populations since 1970[1]. Additionally, National Geographic noted that since 1900, more than eight plant species have gone extinct every three years[2]. Exacerbated by human activity including deforestation, burning fossil fuels, overproduction, and pollution[3], it has been estimated that the current species extinction rate is 1000 times higher than before human beings inhabited the Earth[4]. Because of its unique climate and geographical location, Pakistan is home to a diverse array of plants and animals. However, experts have warned that Pakistan is facing the world’s second-highest rate of deforestation[5] which destroys plant life and the habitats of wildlife.
This has dire consequences, not just for the life rapidly being eradicated, but for human life as well.
Biodiversity has been linked to the development of human societies and continues to be an essential factor for progress. Medicinal research continues to rely on plant life and fungi. Simultaneously, biodiversity is essential for sustaining human life, as we continue to rely on nature for our food. Because of this, biodiversity also has an economic footprint. By 2018, it was estimated that a loss of biodiversity was costing Europe £ 400 million a year[6] roughly 3% of its GDP. In Pakistan, fisheries alone account for 1% of its GDP[7]. As marine life is threatened, so too are the economic prospects attached to it.
Being in nature has also been linked to improved mental health[8]. Thus, a disappearing natural world can worsen current concerns regarding mental and emotional well-being.
All of these negative consequences have been compounding and will be felt by future generations as well. So much so that when interviewed by The Guardian, Oxford University Professor David McDonald noted, “Without biodiversity, there is no future for humanity…”[9]
In light of its devastating and accelerating consequences, attempting to mitigate the loss of biodiversity and supporting conservation efforts has never been more important.
Environmental conservation aims to conserve the planet’s natural resources[10]. It also encourages sustainable use of nature by humans. It is a broad term, that encompasses activities such as planting trees, opting for renewable energy, recycling where possible, and reducing pollution. Concerning biodiversity particularly, conservation can help mitigate the habitat extinction that deforestation and overproduction have led to.
THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY:
Habitat Loss such as deforestation, urbanization, and agricultural expansion are leading causes of habitat loss in Pakistan. Forests, wetlands, and other natural habitats are being cleared for agriculture, infrastructure development, and human settlements, resulting in the loss of biodiversity-rich areas.
Industrial pollution, agricultural runoff, and improper waste management contribute to water and air pollution, negatively impacting aquatic ecosystems, wildlife, and plants.
Overexploitation, overhunting, illegal wildlife trade, and unsustainable fishing practices pose threats to many species in Pakistan furthermore. The demand for wildlife products and the unsustainable harvesting of timber and other natural resources further exacerbate this issue.
CONSERVATION EFFORTS:
Pakistan has established a network of protected areas, including national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and nature reserves, to safeguard its biodiversity. These areas provide habitat protection and support conservation initiatives. The country has enacted laws and regulations to protect its biodiversity, such as the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act and the Wildlife Protection Act. These laws aim to regulate activities that may harm biodiversity and promote sustainable resource use. In 2016 through a national assembly resolution, Pakistan also adopted the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 as the country’s agenda for development. These include environmental conservation and sustainable growth[11].
By offering sustainable alternatives for societies conservation can safeguard the diverse biology that has supported human beings since time immemorial. Considering recent threats to biodiversity, supporting environmental conservation has hence never been more important.
[1] https://livingplanet.panda.org/en-US/
[3] https://www.chathamhouse.org/2023/04/threats-biodiversity
[4] https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn25645-we-are-killing-species-at-1000-times-the-natural-rate/
[5] https://www.cbd.int/countries/profile/?country=pk#:~:text=Pakistan%20has%20195%20mammal%20species
[6] https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/mar/12/what-is-biodiversity-and-why-does-it-matter-to-us
[7] https://www.cbd.int/countries/profile/?country=pk#:~:text=Pakistan%20has%20195%20mammal%20species
[9] https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/mar/12/what-is-biodiversity-and-why-does-it-matter-to-us
[10] https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/conservation/