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Experts call for conservation of threatened bustard species

Posted on 14 April 2025

Islamabad, 14 April 2025: “Different bustard species face serious challenges from hunting, poaching, habitat degradation, and changing climate patterns. Conservation of these bird species requires coordinated efforts and planning to improve their declining population”. This was stated by experts during a workshop on the Multi-species Action Plan (MsAP) for the Conservation of Bustard Species Worldwide held at a local hotel in Islamabad on Monday. This workshop is organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan (WWF-Pakistan) in coordination with Bustards Without Borders (BWB). The Swiss Ornithological Institute is supporting the event through the Coordination Unit of the African-Eurasian Migratory Land Birds Action Plan (AEMLAP).

Speakers underscored the urgent need to protect and revive the declining population of these birds, which travel across borders, especially from central Asian states to the Middle East and South Asia, including Pakistan. The workshop proposed priority actions within a comprehensive Multi-species Action Plan (MsAP), outlining the necessary conservation measures for bustard species across their habitat range. This plan will be submitted for adoption at CMS COP15 in 2026.

Syed Ghulam Qadir Shah, Member (Coordination) Pakistan Climate Change Authority (PCCA) and Chief Guest of the event, remarked that bustards hold a unique place among the numerous species that make up this complex web of life. The decline of bustard populations is a clear indicator of the health of our ecosystems. Their presence signifies a well-functioning environment where the balance of flora and fauna is maintained. “By working to conserve bustards, we are not just saving a species, but we are safeguarding the ecosystems they inhabit and the biodiversity that supports all life, including our own”, he added.

Dr Mimi Kessler, Co-Chair of the IUCN Bustards Specialist Group, said that bustard populations are declining across much of their range. This underlines both the urgency and the complexity of our shared task. The conservation of bustards cannot succeed without a strong foundation in science. She further said that comprehensive research is essential to understand population dynamics, identify key threats, and develop targeted and effective conservation actions. “To implement scientifically robust conservation programmes, as outlined in the Bustard Multi-species Action Plan, we must continuously invest in research and monitoring”, she added.

Rab Nawaz, Senior Director Programmes, WWF-Pakistan, shared that the bustards, with their majestic presence and unique behaviours, are symbolic of the diverse ecosystems they inhabit. However, they are increasingly threatened by habitat loss, climate change, hunting, and other human-induced pressures. The decline of these magnificent birds is not just a loss of our natural heritage but a troubling indicator of the health of our ecosystems. “The Multi-Species Action Plan offers a comprehensive framework for targeted conservation actions across geographic boundaries, ensuring that we prioritize our efforts and resources where they are most needed”, he added.

Dr Rainer Raab, representative of Bustards Without Borders (BWB) said "Effective bustard conservation requires urgent, united action. Through Bustards Without Borders and the Multi-species Action Plan, we are joining forces across continents to advance conservation, raise awareness, and exchange knowledge to secure a future for all 26 bustard species"

Ms. Éva Fejes, Ministry of Agriculture, Hungary said “The conservation of bustard species is a complex task that can only succeed through long-term commitment and close collaboration among all relevant stakeholders–across sectors and borders. As bustard conservation has deep roots in Hungary, we are pleased to contribute to global efforts in the framework of the Bustard Multi-species Action Plan, and to share the knowledge and best practices behind our achievements for the benefit of bustard species worldwide.

The event aimed to collaborate with relevant institutes and organizations by exchanging technical and scientific expertise to conserve these species. It focused on exploring funding opportunities and introducing capacity-building initiatives that enhance sustained bustard conservation efforts. Experts urged that protecting the bustard species needs a multi-faceted approach that brings together government institutes, conservation organizations, and local communities on one platform.

A four-day field visit to Cholistan in Punjab follows this workshop. This visit will serve as a platform for experts to share knowledge, discuss challenges, and formulate key conservation actions.

Speakers at the Multi-species Action Plan for the bustard species in Islamabad.

Experts call for conservation of threatened bustard species

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