AJK Fights to Protect Wildlife from Climate Change

Roy Zia Ur Rahman

Islamabad: In the midst of worsening climate challenges in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), an unlikely creature has become a symbol of resilience and hope: the pangolin.

Recently, a rare pangolin was rescued from a crowded area in Dhamaul, Kotli, and safely returned to its natural habitat by the Wildlife Protection Team, led by Major (R) Muhammad Pervaiz, Project Manager of Poonch River Mahaseer National Park.

Covered in hard keratin scales and known for consuming millions of insects annually, pangolins play a crucial role in natural pest control.

“This creature doesn’t harm anyone,” said Major Pervaiz. “It’s part of our natural heritage and must be protected.” His team has rescued several pangolins in the region and consistently urges the public not to harm them.

Wildlife experts describe pangolins as “nature’s silent guardians.” Dr. Sajid ur Rehman explained that by protecting crops and biodiversity, pangolins directly support human survival. Locals echo this sentiment. Abdul Rehman, a resident of Kotli, said, “Wildlife is the true charm of Kashmir. Protecting it is vital to preserving our identity and balance in nature.”

The rescue also stirred emotions in the community. Raja Shafique, a local elder who witnessed the operation, recalled, “We grew up seeing these animals in our forests, but now they’ve almost disappeared. This rescue reminded us that protecting wildlife is not just the job of officials — it’s our duty too.”

A Species on the Brink

Globally, pangolins are under severe threat. Of the eight known species, four in Asia and four in Africa, all face the risk of extinction. In Pakistan, the Indian pangolin—found in AJK, Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa—has suffered a steep population decline due to habitat loss and illegal hunting.

Experts estimate that a single pangolin consumes up to 70 million insects each year, contributing to soil health and pest control. With sightings in AJK becoming increasingly rare, every successful rescue is a lifeline for the species and a small step toward ecological recovery.

Wildlife officials continue to encourage communities to report illegal hunting and cooperate with forest guards. “One phone call can save an entire species,” officials often remind the public.

Climate Change and Wildlife Displacement

The pangolin’s plight highlights a much larger issue: the growing impact of climate change on wildlife. Intense floods, wildfires, and shifting weather patterns are rapidly altering natural habitats, forcing animals to flee or adapt to shrinking ecosystems. Forest loss and rising temperatures are driving many species closer to extinction.

Pangolins are particularly vulnerable. As burrowing mammals, they rely on stable, forested areas and abundant insect populations. Floods destroy their underground nests, reduce food availability, and deforestation strips away their natural shelters. When coupled with illegal hunting, these pressures are pushing the species toward the brink at alarming speed.

The recent floods across Pakistan have already shown the tragic consequences. In AJK’s Ra’al village, a python displaced by floodwaters was killed after villagers found it feeding on poultry. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Nowshera district, over 100 snakebite cases were reported during heavy flooding, underscoring the risks both humans and animals face when natural habitats are disturbed.

Yet, amid the devastation, stories of compassion also shine through. Villagers near Head Marala risked their own safety to rescue a rare deer trapped by rising waters. In Punjab, wildlife officials saved seven stranded deer.

Like the pangolin rescue in Kotli, these moments show that awareness and timely action can foster coexistence between humans and wildlife.

A Call for Collective Responsibility

As climate change intensifies, wildlife in Pakistan—and particularly in ecologically rich regions like AJK—faces unprecedented threats. But the rescue of the pangolin in Kotli stands as a reminder that protection is possible when officials and communities work together.

For the people of AJK, safeguarding wildlife is more than conservation; it is about preserving heritage, identity, and ecological balance. And for the pangolin, each rescue is not just survival—it is hope for the future of an entire species.