akistan, nestled between towering mountain ranges and vast desert plains, boasts a rich tapestry of ecosystems that make it a hidden haven for wildlife. From the icy cliffs of the Karakoram to the sandy dunes of Thar; and from the lush forests of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the sprawling riverbanks of the Indus, this land hosts a stunning variety of wild animals. Snow leopards silently stalk their prey in the north; crocodiles sunbathe in the wetlands of Sindh. Yet, despite being blessed with such natural riches, the wildlife of Pakistan walks a delicate line between survival and extinction.

Despite its vast potential, Pakistan’s wildlife is facing a rapid decline. Dozens of species that once roamed freely are now listed as endangered or critically endangered. Factors contributing to this loss are many: illegal hunting, habitat destruction due to urbanisation and deforestation, water pollution, poaching and a lack of awareness and enforcement of conservation laws. With the country’s forests shrinking and climate change reshaping ecosystems, countless species are left with nowhere to go. The human-wildlife conflict has worsened, pushing animals further to the margins of survival.

Against this troubling backdrop, there stands a shining example of hope: the conservation of the Markhor, Pakistan’s national animal. Once on the brink of extinction, the Markhor population has bounced back significantly in recent years. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Markhor was downgraded from Endangered to Near Threatened in 2015 due to successful conservation efforts. In Pakistan, according to reliable estimates the Markhor population has risen from as low as 1,500 to over 5,500, mostly in Chitral, Gilgit-Baltistan and parts of Balochistan. This turnaround was made possible through community-based conservation programmes and regulated trophy hunting initiatives that incentivised locals to protect the species rather than poach it.

The success of Markhor conservation is often linked to trophy hunting programmes, where a limited number of older, non-breeding males are auctioned to international hunters. The permit fees, often exceeding $100,000 per hunt, are mostly directed to local communities, giving them a financial stake in wildlife preservation. Yet, this approach is not ideal.

Trophy hunting, while financially rewarding, raises ethical and ecological concerns. Critics argue that it commodifies wildlife and sets a dangerous precedent where the survival of a species is tied to its monetary value. Cases of overhunting and mismanagement have also been reported. It is time to rethink and phase out trophy hunting and adopt more sustainable, non-lethal conservation models that prioritise long-term ecological balance.

Markhor is not the only success story. Efforts to save the Indus River Dolphin have also shown encouraging results. Once reduced to just a few hundred, their population has now grown to over 2,000 through rescue operations and awareness programmes led by WWF-Pakistan and the Sindh Wildlife Department. Similarly, the blackbuck has made a comeback in certain protected zones of the Punjab. The Chiltan ibex and Punjab urial, too, are showing signs of recovery through conservation programmes in national parks and community reserves.

With the country’s forests shrinking and climate change reshaping ecosystems, countless species are left with nowhere to go. The human-wildlife conflict has worsened, pushing animals further to the margins of survival.

However, many species remain in urgent need of protection. The elusive snow leopard still faces poaching and habitat loss. The scaly-skinned pangolin, hunted for its meat and scales, is nearing extinction. The Kashmir musk deer, Marco Polo sheep and the Balochistan bear are all teetering on the edge. Conserving these and other endangered species is vital not only for preserving biodiversity but also for sustaining healthy ecosystems and ensuring the ecological future of Pakistan.

Recent sightings of leopards across all provinces, from the Margalla Hills in Islamabad to the hills of Sindh and Balochistan and the mountains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reveal something significant: leopards are not confined to isolated pockets but are part of Pakistan’s broad ecological fabric. This should be a wake-up call. A nationwide survey and conservation plan is urgently needed to understand leopard populations and create a unified conservation framework. India has been a great example. There leopard populations have been documented and tracked across states, leading to focused conservation measures and increased populations. Pakistan can learn from this model to build a leopard conservation strategy spanning all provinces.

Conserving wildlife isn’t just about animals, it’s about people, too. Healthy ecosystems are the invisible lifelines of human survival. They purify air and water, maintain soil fertility, regulate climate and pollinate crops. Forests act as natural buffers against floods and landslides; wetlands absorb pollutants; and mangroves shield coastal communities from storm surges. In rural areas, communities rely directly on nature for firewood, medicinal plants and clean water. Conservation also helps preserve genetic diversity, which is essential for scientific research, disease resistance in crops and the long-term health of ecosystems.

Beyond ecological benefits, wildlife conservation carries immense economic value. Eco-tourism alone can inject millions into local economies, creating jobs for guides, rangers, artisans, hospitality providers and transport workers. National parks and wildlife reserves, if properly managed, can attract both domestic and international visitors, boosting revenue for underdeveloped regions. Conservation-related research draws global funding and opens academic and scientific collaboration. Sustainable use of biodiversity can support community enterprises. Simply put, when nature thrives, economies grow.

To protect Pakistan’s biodiversity, a comprehensive approach is crucial. Strengthening wildlife protection laws and ensuring their strict enforcement must go hand in hand with empowering local communities through education, incentives and a sense of ownership in conservation efforts. Promoting eco-tourism that brings economic benefits without disturbing wildlife can also play a role.

At the same time, national-level scientific surveys are essential to identify and monitor vulnerable species accurately. Raising public awareness through education campaigns will help foster a collective sense of responsibility toward nature. Most importantly, the lessons learned from successful conservation efforts should be applied to safeguard other endangered species across the country.

The writer is a freelance contributor