Two held for illegal sale of tortoise meat in Khanewal

Flesh was supplied to local hotels for Chinese nationals

MULTAN: The officials of wildlife department nabbed two people on charges of illegal sale of tortoise meat to Chinese nationals in South Punjab.

While speaking to journalists in Khanewal on Monday, Wildlife Department Director Muhammad Hussain Gashgori said that the officials conducted a raid in the area of Saraye Sidhoo and arrested two people who were hunting tortoise. Both men were caught red-handed while the officials seized 50 kilogrammes of tortoise meat from their possession, he maintained.



“The culprits are in the custody of Wildlife department and would be presented in the court of area magistrate,” he said.

Gashgori pointed out that the culprits were involved in illegal hunting of tortoise for the last six months. “They used to hunt tortoise in the areas of Shujabad near Chopar Hatta Canal and other areas of South Punjab,” he added.

He said that the meat was supplied to local hotels for Chinese nationals. He pointed out, “Illegal sale and hunting of tortoise is banned by Punjab government and strict action would be taken against the culprits.”

The wildlife director said that after the orders of court, police would take the necessary legal action against the culprits. He said other members of the gang would be arrested soon.



Earlier in May 2017, wildlife officials arrested a hunter for hunting illegally in forests across Punjab.

The officials flagged down a vehicle at a picket that was established near Yazman’s Cholistan area and ordered the driver to furnish his identity. The officials also tried to search his vehicle but the accused started misbehaving and threatened them with dire consequences.

However, the wildlife officials took him into custody and shifted him to the police station where he was identified as an infamous hunter Noor Nabi alias Shami Daha.

The officials said Noor Nabi was wanted in several cases of illegal hunting. At least 14 challans were submitted against him in the court.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 24^th, 2017.