Wildlife protection: LHC issues notice to federal govt on hunting of birds

Petition states each Dec millions of birds migrating to Pakistan are hunted in violation of international conventions

LAHORE:

The Lahore High Court summoned experts from the Worldwide Fund for Nature and the International Union for Conservation of Nature with regard to the safety of migratory birds in Pakistan. The court also issued a notice to the federal government.

The court issued the order on a petition stating that every December millions of birds migrating to Pakistan were hunted in violation of international conventions. The petitioner said the government had issued 25 licences for hunting these birds.

He said wildlife experts had stated that the number of birds migrating to the Punjab had decreased by at least 70 per cent.

A large number of birds of diverse species, including water fowls, cranes, teals, pintail, mallard and gadwall fly from Siberia to various destinations in Pakistan over the Karakoram, Hindu Kush and Suleiman ranges on what is known as the International Migratory Bird Route.

Migratory birds start flying on this route in November and by March they begin to return.

Endangered species such as the white-headed duck, houbara bustard and the Siberian crane also travel on this route. Animal rights activists have protested against the illegal hunting of the birds.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 14^th, 2014.