Category: 1. Pakistan

In a significant development for wildlife conservation in Pakistan, the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard, locally known as Bhakhar, has shown promising signs of population recovery in the Cholistan Desert, according to Punjab wildlife authorities.

Wildlife experts estimate the global population of the Great Indian Bustard to be between 80 and 90, with approximately 30 to 35 believed to inhabit the Cholistan region of Pakistan. This fragile recovery is the result of enhanced conservation efforts, ongoing field monitoring, and the creation of a dedicated public wildlife reserve.

“This bird is now restricted to the Cholistan Desert in Pakistan and Rajasthan in India,” confirmed Wildlife Conservator Syed Rizwan Mehmood.

He documented rare video footage and photographs of the species during a recent field survey.

“The sighting and documentation of its presence confirm its continued survival in Pakistan. It’s a major breakthrough.”

Bahawalpur Deputy Chief Wildlife Ranger Syed Ali Usman Bukhari emphasised the role of dedicated habitat protection in aiding the bird’s recovery.

“A designated Public Wildlife Reserve has been established in Cholistan specifically to protect the Great Indian Bustard. Strengthened conservation measures have led to a gradual increase in the population of this native species,” he said.

The Great Indian Bustard (ardeotis nigriceps) is listed as “critically endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), making it one of the most threatened bird species in South Asia.

Once found in large numbers across the Indian subcontinent, the species is now confined to fragmented habitats in India and Pakistan due to habitat loss, hunting and human disturbance.

Renowned for its distinctive appearance, the Great Indian Bustard is among the heaviest flying birds in the world. Males can weigh up to 15 kilograms, stand about one meter tall, and have a wingspan exceeding two meters. The bird is easily identified by its brown, white and black plumage and a prominent black patch on the neck.

It lays only one egg per year, resulting in an extremely low breeding rate making every individual crucial to the survival of the species.

Under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), all international trade of the species is strictly prohibited. Domestically, the bird enjoys legal protection, with all forms of hunting or trade banned.

Unlike the more commonly targeted Houbara Bustard, which has faced significant pressure from hunting by foreign falconers, the Great Indian Bustard has largely been spared due to its rarity and the strict penalties imposed on violators.

Conservationists remain cautiously optimistic. “The progress we’re seeing in Cholistan is encouraging, but the species remains on the brink,” said a wildlife official. “We must maintain and expand protection efforts, raise awareness, and safeguard critical habitats if we are to prevent its extinction.”

The Pakistan Meteorological Department’s (PMD) Warning Centre issued a three-day forecast for Karachi, predicting light rain showers during night and early morning hours.

Skies are expected to remain cloudy, with maximum daytime temperatures ranging from 33°C and 35°C. Humidity levels may reach 80% percent in the morning, falling to around 65% by evening.

Steady sea breezes will prevail along the coast line for coming days. As monsoon currents continue to move to other parts of Sindh, light rain or drizzle is also expected in the districts of Khairpur, Umerkot, Tharparkar, Mirpurkhas, Badin, Thatta, Sujawal and Jamshoro

Moreover, monsoon downpours are periodically lashing other parts of the country, including Islamabad and Rawalpindi. In the last 24 hours Islamabad recorded 184mm of rain, while Narowal and Muzaffarabad saw 62 mm each. Kotli received 57mm, Rawalpindi 54 mm and Murree 42 mm, emphasising the irregular but intense nature of this year’s monsoon.

Moreover, the National Disaster Management Authority’s (NDMA) National Emergencies Operation Center has issued a landslide alert for northern regions.

Rainfall is expected across valleys of Gilgit‑Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir— Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, Astore, Diamer, Ghanche, Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, Haveli, Bagh and Poonch—while upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa districts including Chitral, Dir and Kohistan face widespread heavy downpours.

The authorities have warned of heightened risks of landslides, mudslides, rockfalls and ground collapses and urged all relevant agencies and residents to remain vigilant and restrict travel on steep or unstable slopes.

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Updated On: Tue, 22 Jul 2025

13:29:29 PKT

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The rescue staff have been searching a man and his daughter in Rawalpindi when their car was swept away by gushing water on Tuesday.

The car in which Colonel (retd) Ishaq Qazi and his daughter were travelling was swept away by a strong current in seasonal stream (nullah) after heavy rain in Rawalpindi and Islamabad that started on Monday night.

According to eye witnesses, Colonel Qazi had attempted to drive the car across the stream near the edge, but failed to do so. They reportedly called for help from inside the vehicle.

Read more: Floods devastate GB: Three dead, several missing as rescue operations continue  

Rescue teams have launched a search operation for them. 

Monsoon death toll reaches 221

Heavy monsoon rains have claimed five more lives in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 221. According to the NDMA, the latest victims include two men and three children, while 10 others were injured. Over 804 houses have been completely destroyed in rain-related incidents.

Punjab is the hardest-hit province, with 135 deaths, 470 injuries, and over 190 damaged houses. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported 40 deaths and 69 injuries, along with 220 houses damaged. In Sindh, 22 people have died and 40 were injured, while Balochistan reported 16 deaths and four injuries.

 

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, in her message on World Brain Day, highlighted the significance of mental health and the need for collective awareness regarding brain-related illnesses.

“The human brain is one of the Creator’s most extraordinary creations,” said the Chief Minister, adding that World Brain Day serves as a reminder to focus on mental and neurological health.

She described the brain as “the most complex and astonishing system in the universe,” stressing that ignoring mental health is equivalent to neglecting life itself.

Maryam Nawaz pointed out that individuals suffering from mental illnesses not only endure personal pain but also face societal neglect and insensitivity. “Mental health patients often face apathy and social stigma, making their struggle even harder,” she said.

She reaffirmed the Punjab government’s commitment to preventing mental illnesses through increased awareness, accessible treatment, and educational campaigns.

“A healthy brain lays the foundation for positive thinking and constructive decision-making,” she said, underlining the need to prioritize mental health equally with physical well-being.

The Chief Minister’s message calls for a compassionate and informed approach to mental health, encouraging society to view it as a vital part of overall health.