Pakistan covers 79.1 million ha in which the area of water is estimated at 7.8 million ha and provides food and shelter to the local inhabitants as well as visiting and resident wildfowl. From early July to late September, monsoons reach into Pakistan and are of immense significance to the country's wildlife and agro‐based communities. However, a vast part of the country, mainly Baluchistan province, remains deprived of this rain but in winter seasonal rains and snow occur, particularly in Quetta, Zhoba and Pishin valleys. This rain and snow melt water provides a source of sustenance to the people of not only Baluchistan, but also Afghanistan. This water settles in a chain of lagoons in the Chagai desert, and provides much bird habitat. For centuries, Lake Zangi Nawar has been used by hundreds of thousand of birds and many local tribes. The people and governments have collectively made small dams so that this large source of water may be of help through seasonal agriculture and pasture management for their livestock, on which the people mainly depend. The lake is the sole source for raising the water‐table for the nearby villages who use this for drinking purposes. These Baluch tribes are barely literate, but with experience they have recognized that the lake and its valuable by‐products are of immense advantage. Thus, they carefully watch and guard the whole area. The study considers the available resources, the community response, and the development made by the visitors at Zangi Nawar. It also provides options and suggestions for long‐term sustainable management of the wetland and its resources.