There was a time when the winter skies over Nowshera came alive with thousands of migratory birds, their flocks stretching across the horizon as they descended on wetlands, ponds and green fields after travelling thousands of kilometres from Siberia and Central Asia. For villagers living along the Kabul River, the arrival of these seasonal visitors was more than a spectacle. It was a cherished sign of winter, a familiar rhythm of life passed down through generations. Today, many of those wetlands have disappeared beneath concrete houses, agricultural expansion and human settlements. The skies that once echoed with the calls of migratory birds have grown increasingly silent. Climate change, shrinking wetlands, polluted rivers, excessive hunting and the destruction of natural habitats are threatening migratory birds visiting Pakistan, particularly Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), where the Kabul and Indus rivers have historically provided important wintering and feeding grounds. For Faqir Khan, a resident of Taro Jabba near the Kabul River in Nowshera, the disappearance of these birds is a painful reminder of how dramatically the landscape has changed. "I still remember the days when huge flocks of birds arrived from Siberia, Afghanistan and other regions. There were large ponds, green fields and natural wetlands that stretched across the area. Watching hundreds of birds take flight together was a beautiful sight," he told The Express Tribune. "Today, houses stand where those ponds once existed. The birds no longer find the natural environment they need, and gradually they have stopped coming." Khan’s memories reflect a wider environmental transformation taking place across parts of K-P, where expanding settlements, deteriorating water quality and changing weather patterns are placing increasing pressure on wildlife. Migration under threat Pakistan lies along the Central Asian Flyway, one of the world's major migratory bird routes, connecting breeding grounds in northern Eurasia with wintering areas across South Asia and beyond. The flyway supports more than 180 migratory waterbird species, according to international conservation assessments, highlighting the ecological importance of wetlands across the region. Every year, migratory ducks, geese, waders, herons and birds of prey travel long distances in search of warmer conditions, food and suitable resting grounds. The Kabul River, its associated wetlands and the Indus River system have traditionally offered important feeding and wintering habitats for several migratory species. However, environmental experts say these natural stopover sites are increasingly coming under pressure, threatening the habitats on which birds depend to complete their seasonal journeys. Professor Dr Muhammad Nafees, an environmental expert associated with the University of Peshawar, told The Express Tribune that a study conducted in 2004 examined migratory bird populations along the Kabul and Indus river corridors. According to him, the study had already identified a decline of approximately 40 to 45 per cent in migratory bird numbers at the time. "Today, the decline in migratory bird populations in K-P has exceeded 90 per cent compared with earlier levels," Dr Nafees claimed. The figure represents the expert's assessment and requires confirmation through updated, province-wide scientific surveys. Polluted river water, shrinking habitats, changing temperatures and indiscriminate hunting are major factors behind the decline. Dr Nafees raised concerns about the possible impact of electromagnetic fields associated with communication towers on bird navigation, suggesting that such disturbances could contribute to birds losing their routes and becoming vulnerable to hunting. However, the extent to which telecommunications infrastructure affects long-distance bird migration remains scientifically uncertain and requires species-specific research. Dr Nafees added that pesticide use in agricultural fields also posed a threat to birds feeding on insects, seeds and other food sources. "Exposure to harmful chemicals through contaminated food and water could affect their health and survival," he informed. He further pointed to pollution in the Kabul River, reduced water availability in parts of the Indus system and changing seasonal temperatures as additional pressures on migratory birds. "These birds need a safe environment, clean water and adequate food. When these conditions disappear, their survival and seasonal return become increasingly difficult," he explained. Climate pressures Dr Asif Khan, a climate change expert associated with a private university, identified the disappearance of marshes and wetlands, declining fish populations, reduced river flows, deforestation and excessive hunting as major reasons behind the decreasing arrival of migratory birds. He added that rising temperatures and climate-induced changes in river flows were further damaging the natural habitats on which migratory birds depend. According to Dr Khan, scientific research by universities and environmental institutions is urgently needed to understand changing migration patterns and develop long-term conservation strategies. He stressed that without systematic research and monitoring, the region will struggle to address the growing challenges facing migratory wildlife. Manahil Wahab, Divisional Wildlife Officer, Peshawar, said climate change had emerged as a significant environmental challenge affecting migratory birds and their habitats worldwide. "The Kabul River and its associated wetlands provide important feeding, resting and wintering habitats for migratory waterbirds and birds of prey," she said. According to Wahab, changes in temperature, rainfall patterns and water availability can influence seasonal bird movements, feeding opportunities and the duration of their stay. She emphasised the importance of protecting natural habitats, improving aquatic ecosystems, raising public awareness and strengthening coordination among relevant institutions. Conservation specialists say wetlands are particularly important because they provide food, shelter and resting places for birds exhausted after long-distance journeys. When these areas disappear, birds may be forced to travel farther in search of suitable conditions, increasing the energy required to complete their migration. Muhammad Ismail, an ecologist associated with the Ministry of Climate Change, said migratory birds traditionally travelled from Siberia and other colder regions towards Pakistan, Afghanistan and India as temperatures dropped in their breeding areas. He said many birds historically arrived in the region between September and November, seeking relatively warmer climates and suitable feeding grounds. However, climate change and habitat destruction have increasingly affected the conditions that once attracted these birds. "Many of the areas where migratory birds once found natural habitats have now been occupied by housing societies and other developments. Pollution has further damaged the environment," he explains. Ismail noted that these changes were contributing to declining bird arrivals and potentially altering traditional migration routes. He warned that the destruction of wetlands and natural ecosystems could make it increasingly difficult for migratory birds to find suitable wintering grounds. Disappearing habitats Beyond rising temperatures and habitat loss, agricultural chemicals are emerging as another concern. Migratory birds often feed in agricultural fields, consuming insects, seeds and other organisms. Excessive or improper pesticide use can contaminate these food sources, exposing birds to potentially harmful substances. Environmental experts warn that such exposure can affect birds directly or through the food chain. Similarly, untreated domestic sewage, industrial discharge and other pollutants entering rivers can damage aquatic ecosystems, reducing the availability of fish, insects and aquatic plants on which many species depend. The conversion of wetlands into residential settlements is also reducing the number of safe resting places available to birds during their long journeys. The decline of migratory birds is not merely a loss of seasonal beauty. It also raises questions about the health of rivers, wetlands and the wider environment. Migratory birds are important indicators of ecosystem conditions. Changes in their numbers and distribution can provide valuable clues about habitat degradation, water availability and environmental pressures. Experts say regular bird counts, wetland restoration, pollution control, enforcement against illegal hunting and scientific monitoring are essential to understanding and reversing the decline. They also stress the need for coordinated conservation efforts involving wildlife authorities, universities, local communities and environmental organisations. For residents like Khan, however, the environmental crisis is already visible without scientific instruments or statistical reports. The ponds of his childhood have vanished, and the flocks that once filled the winter sky are now largely memories. As another winter approaches, the question is no longer simply how many migratory birds will return to K-P, but whether enough of their natural habitats will remain to welcome them. Unless the region's wetlands and river ecosystems are protected, future generations may know the great winter migration only through the stories of those who once watched the skies come alive.