Migratory birds enjoy free space amid reduced human activities.

ISLAMABAD -- Reduced human activities outside due to COVID-19 lockdown has not only contributed to the revival of nature through lowering pollution level and limiting human interference but also provided an opportunity to the migratory birds to fly freely without any threat of poaching.

World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) was marked on May 9 (Saturday) worldwide through online campaigns and awareness events amid COVID-19 crisis to draw attention of the authorities toward conservation of migratory birds to save the ecosystem.

World Migratory Bird Day is celebrated bi-annually on the second Saturday of May and October 10 globally to draw attention to the threats faced by migratory birds, their ecological importance, and the need for international cooperation to conserve them.

Talking to reporter, Associate Curator, Migratory Birds Section of Pakistan Musuem of Natural History (PMNH), Muhammad Asif Khan said the prevailing lockdown has contributed to the protection of migratory birds through giving them opportunity to move freely without any fear of hunting not only in Pakistan but globally.

The process of migration of birds starts in October or November when migratory birds move from Siberia through their flyways and enter Pakistan every year. While in March and April, these birds migrate back to their places.

He said the flagship bird species include Crains, Flamingoes, Pelican, Houbara bustard and falcons species like Sakar and Peregrine while there are a number of other species too.

Asif Khan said recently a record population of...