LAHORE: Fast urbanisation, air pollution and smog are badly hurting the lungs of not only the citizens of Punjab, especially of Lahore, but also affecting the health of birds too. Studies conducted by various academic and research institutes have proven that smog and urbanisation are badly affecting both humans and wildlife in Lahore and suburbs, says Dr Ghulam Rasool, deputy chief wildlife ranger.

According to him, over the period of the last 30 years, Lahore expanded both horizontally and vertically engulfing many green areas, including woodlands and agricultural spaces. Practically, the cities around Lahore have been merged into it, making Lahore world’s 27th largest city as well as the most polluted one. This expansion has resulted in the massive decline in the vegetation cover whether its agriculture space or guava orchards, which were once quite common around Lahore.

Dr Ghulam Rasool says green spaces from where we use to collect herbs for biology practical notebooks are now a densely populated housing society.

“There is less room for native plants and animals as agriculture and forest land have been turned into highways, homes, industrial areas and concrete surfaces. Many species of birds, amphibians, reptiles and small mammals struggle to live in and around Lahore as there are fewer native tree species, fewer natural nesting locations and less ground cover.” For instance, he adds, researchers from the Punjab University found that numerous native bird species had a dramatic decline in almost all areas of Lahore such as white-eyes, warblers, fruit eating birds like yellow-footed green pigeons, owls, black drongo and many others.

According to a wildlife official, animals at captive wildlife facilities such as the Lahore Zoo have been reporting eye irritation, breathing difficulties due to smog and pollution. Smog, including dust and particulate matter 2.5 that settle in the lungs, causes severe respiratory issues. Air pollution can lead to soil nutrient reduction, acidification of surfaces, making habitats less hospitable for wildlife.

Denser built-areas trap heat and may make air stagnation more likely, worsening smog events.

Quoting a recent research, the official says, more than 150 bird species previously documented in Lahore are now a rare sight. Experts attribute this to air pollution, shortage of nesting space, urban expansion and increase in scavengers like black kites and crows.

To save humans, the wild birds and animals living in Lahore and suburbs, the experts like Ghulam Rasool term it very important to preserve and expand green spaces, planting indigenous trees, protecting old trees which provide nesting and food. For Lahore, they describe planting fruit trees and shrubs as important measures to save fruit-eating species of birds like koels, green pigeons etc.

It is also very important to reduce sources of smog like better regulation of vehicles, industries, crop burning, improve waste management, create urban wildlife corridors: connect green spaces so wildlife can move and avoid isolation. In captive settings like zoos and wildlife parks, protective measures can also be applied like extra health and nutritional support for animals, dust suppression, spraying water etc.

Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2025