KARACHI: In a first, the wildlife department in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province on Wednesday conducted a population survey of house sparrows in the port city of Karachi, saying the results would be compiled using standard scientific methods.
Recent media reports have highlighted the danger of a declining sparrow population in Karachi, other Pakistani cities and neighboring India, with concerns primarily raised by ornithologists. The purported decline is attributed to factors like urbanization, loss of natural habitats, pollution and pesticide use in agriculture, which reduce their food supply and nesting sites. The global community also observes International Sparrow Day on March 20 to highlight the threats to house sparrows and other common birds.
Speaking to Arab News, Javed Mahar, head of the Sindh Wildlife Department, mentioned the claim of a declining sparrow population was made without a prior baseline, prompting him to organize a unique bird count in Karachi last Sunday with 121 photographers and wildlife enthusiasts. Covering five percent of the bustling metropolis, the team recorded 9,035 house sparrows. Mahar explained this ratio would be used to estimate the sparrow population in the remaining 95 percent of the city.
“Frequently, news in the media would state that the number of sparrows has decreased or they are faced with dangers,” Mahar said in a conversation with Arab News. “Different things would be discussed, but in reality, no survey had been conducted, there was no baseline present.”
He said the survey conducted in the city would be analyzed scientifically to project the sparrow’s total population in Karachi.
The activity, he continued, was not merely aimed at counting the population of sparrows but also at raising awareness about the dangers the birds have been facing.
“One of the biggest dangers posed to their population is none other than our human conduct,” he said. “We need to strengthen their nesting sites in our homes and provide them with assistance.”
Mahar acknowledged the possibility of survey errors, pointing out it was the first time such bird count had been done. However, he noted the methodology being followed was “standard” and used elsewhere as well to carry out such studies.
Mahera Omar, a wildlife campaigner and one of the volunteers who participated in the exercise, said the counting was an “interesting experience.”
“This was about a bird that every citizen watches daily,” she added.
In a first, Pakistan’s Sindh conducts baseline survey of house sparrows in Karachi
https://arab.news/v9rmm
In a first, Pakistan’s Sindh conducts baseline survey of house sparrows in Karachi
- The survey was conducted in five percent of the city’s total area ahead of International Sparrow Day on March 20
- The study involved 121 photographers and wildlife enthusiasts who recorded 9,035 sparrows in the designated area
Pakistan engages Saudi Arabia, China in bid to ease surging Middle East tensions
- Pakistan’s foreign minister stresses need for de-escalation in conversations with Chinese, Saudi counterparts
- Tensions in the Middle East continue to remain high as conflict between US, Israel and Iran intensifies
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar spoke to the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and China on Tuesday, stressing the importance of diplomatic engagement to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East as the Iran war intensifies.
Pakistan has constantly engaged regional countries in efforts to broker a ceasefire in the Middle East, after the US and Isreal launched coordinated strikes against Iran on Feb. 28.
Iran launched fresh attacks on Gulf countries on Tuesday morning, where it has targeted US military bases in recent weeks. In addition to firing missiles and drones at Israel and American bases in the region, Iran has also been targeting energy infrastructure which, combined with its stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, has sent oil prices soaring worldwide.
Dar spoke to Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan to discuss developments in the Middle East and ongoing deliberations at the UN Security Council, Pakistan’s foreign office said in a statement.
“DPM/FM shared Pakistan’s perspective, underscoring the importance of continued coordination and diplomatic engagement to support de-escalation and promote peace and stability across the region and beyond,” the statement said.
Dar, who also serves as Pakistan’s foreign minister, spoke to Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi over the telephone separately. The two discussed the evolving regional situation and broader global developments.
Dar underscored the need to ease tensions in the Middle East and the wider region during the conversation, the foreign office said.
Yi appreciated Pakistan’s constructive efforts aimed at promoting de-escalation and stability in the region, it added.
“The two leaders stressed the importance of de-escalation and emphasized the need to pursue dialogue and diplomacy in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter,” the foreign office’s statement said.
The conflict in the Middle East has hit Pakistan hard as well, forcing Islamabad to hike petrol and diesel prices by Rs55 per liter last Friday.
Pakistan’s government has also announced a set of austerity measures, which include closing schools and cutting down on government expenditures, as it evaluates petrol stocks and looks for alternative supply routes.
