Houbara Bustard, a coveted quarry of falconers, have started arriving in Pakistan from Central Asian Republics (CARs) with the commencement of winter season and availability of large variety of flora plants in the country, experts say.
The arid areas in Khyber-Pakthunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan are Houbara's winter habitats where sufficient food is available for them, Former Chief Conservator, Khyber Paktunkhwa Wildlife Department, Dr Muhammad Mumtaz Malik told APP on Sunday.
"The large migratory bird arrives every year in Pakistan in November-December from Mongolia, Siberia and CARs and returns in March/April," he said, adding that the bird eats flora, insects and earthworms.
Experts say about 25000-35000 Houbara birds are entering Pakistan from CARs and China's province Sinkiang due to the freezing temperature there. Covering about 5,500-km distance from Siberia and CARs, the Houbara comes very quickly, taking only five to seven days over a height of 4,730 meters to Pakistan passing Chitral, Nowshera, Kohat, Lakki Marwat and stayed in Dera Ismail Khan, DG Khan and onward to Cholistan desert.
Dr Mumtaz said a scientific survey is necessary to find out accurate number of Houbara arriving in Pakistan and for this purpose, financial resources are required. Houbara is very sensitive and it does not use the same route twice if it senses any danger during the journey.
He said that in case Houbara looses its mate, it takes three to five years to find a new one. The population travels in groups having a chieftain. Once they loose their chieftain, the deputy guides the group to reach its destination.
Scientifically known as Macqeenii, the districts of DI Khan, Tank, Rahim Yar Khan, DG Khan and arid areas of southern Punjab provides rich diversity of flora, fauna, insects and weeds to the endangered specie, therefore it stays here first after arriving Pakistan.
The expert said the population of the bird is declining in the range states of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, India, UAE and other Middle Eastern countries due to illegal hunting and destruction of its habitats. Asian Houbara could become extinct within 20-30 years if unchecked hunting, illegal trapping and trading of the bird continues at the existing scale.
He further said rapid increase in population is also affecting its habitats and breading grounds. Interestingly, rivalry between Houbara's new-borns after birth is also one of the factors of their gradual decrease.
Houbara gives birth only to two off springs a year but the elder one kills the younger due to fear of sharing food," he remarked. The artificial breeding is being carried out in UAE, Saudi Arabia and Morocco but it has to be done under extremely controlled conditions and is very expensive.
Because of increase in capture operations and excessive hunting of the bird, especially in its winter habitats of the range states, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) has declared Houbara a endangered migratory bird.
According to experts, if the present situation continues, number of these birds will reduce to 50 per cent by year 2020 and they could become extinct by 2030. Experts estimate that the natural death rate of endangered birds is 3.28 percent, while death due to hunting accounts for more than 73 per cent. The rate of hunting has reached nearly 20.8 per cent, up from the acceptable 7.2 per cent.
Dr Mumtaz revealed that enthusiasm of NGOs interested in preserving the endangered species has been on the decline with the passage of time. He recommended need for community involvement through financial and other incentives in preservation and protection of houbara.
The former wildlife chief suggested involvement of Arab dignitaries in the preservation programmes and recommended for declaring large number area where Hubara comes as protected areas to save Asias hubara from extinction.
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