As urban development and climate change reshape Islamabad’s natural environment, WWF-Pakistan has stepped in with an initiative aimed at protecting cavity and hole-nesting birds. Species like woodpeckers, owls, robins, and parakeets depend on tree hollows and crevices for breeding, but these natural sites are rapidly vanishing due to construction, habitat loss, and extreme weather.
To address this, WWF-Pakistan has installed 500 artificial nest boxes across 33 sites in Islamabad and the surrounding Margalla Hills. These sites range from densely built urban areas to greener suburban and forested zones.
The boxes, crafted from eco-friendly plywood, were designed following international standards to suit different species. A total of 400 small boxes were made for birds requiring 2.5-inch entry holes, 90 were built with 3-inch holes for larger species, and 10 special boxes were equipped with camera traps to monitor nesting activity.
The project, supported by the Wildlife Adaptation Innovation Fund, also involves extensive monitoring. Rangers, university students, and the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board conduct field checks twice a week to track signs of occupancy, including feathers, droppings, and bird movement.
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In the first breeding season, 91 nest boxes were confirmed in use. The common myna was the most frequent occupant, but researchers expect broader species use over time.
Six postgraduate researchers are also participating in the project, studying species-specific nesting behaviour and how birds respond to artificial shelters. Their findings will help guide future conservation efforts and improve nest box designs.
This initiative shows how practical, small-scale interventions can help wildlife adapt to a changing environment. By providing safe, alternative homes for birds that would otherwise struggle to reproduce, the project contributes to maintaining biodiversity in one of Pakistan’s fastest-developing regions. Its early success offers a model that could be replicated in other areas facing similar ecological pressures.
