Wildlife Conservation: Remarks on blackbucks safety sought

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court has sought the federal and provincial governments’ comments on the measures taken for the protection of endangered blackbucks in Bahawalpur. On Monday, LHC’s Justice Ayesha A Malik sought replies by November 22 on a petition seeking directions for the conservation of the Indian antelope, which were once widespread in plains and woodlands of India and Pakistan but extensive hunting and habitat destruction have restricted the deer to small, isolated populations. Ali Imran moved the court, claiming that several incidents of stealing blackbucks from the Bahawalpur district had been reported. The Punjab Wildlife Department and Environmental Protection Agency as well as the environment secretary must be asked about what measures had been taken to protect blackbucks. The petitioner stated Pakistan was a member of International Union of Conservation for Nature and had ratified the Convention for International Trade of Endangered Species. Blackbucks are protected under the Punjab Wildlife Act 1972.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 15^th, 2016.