Hunter becomes the hunted: Wildlife dept hopes to increase illegal hunting fines
Fines are nominal which is why illegal hunting hasn’t been controlled
PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE:
The Punjab wildlife department has decided to impose heftier fines and increase prison sentences on those involved in the illegal poaching of animals and birds.
The Punjab cabinet is considering coming up with more amendments to the Punjab Wildlife Act 2007 to make illegal hunting and poaching a non-bailable crime.
Wildlife and Parks Punjab Director General Khalid Ayaz Khan told Express News that the fines are nominal and this is the reason that illegal hunting has continued unabated. "I have sent considerations to the committee concerned of the provincial cabinet. According to them, the illegal poaching, hunting of endangered of unique birds or animals and the use of their meat for commercial purposes should be deemed illegal."
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Some officials believe the effort to send a notification to the committee concerned could go in vain because the government's tenure is going to end soon.
The wildlife department is vying for harsher sentences and heftier fines against illegal poaching and hunting by recommending amendments to the Punjab Wildlife Act 1973.
The fine for hunting or poaching endangered species, smuggling or hunting animals and birds without a licensed weapon could be increased up to Rs10,000 to Rs15,000 and should be a non-bailable offence.
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According to articles 16 and 16(a), 17, 18 and 18(a), hunting in a century wildlife breeding farm, national park, game reserve, wildlife park, safari park will warrant a prison sentence for three to 20 years or a Rs30,000 fine. Both can also be applied.
Ayaz said that he intended to form a wildlife police force. Last year, a notification from the wildlife secretary was issued, recommending an increase in a prison sentences and fines for illegal poachers and hunters.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 14th, 2018.
The Punjab wildlife department has decided to impose heftier fines and increase prison sentences on those involved in the illegal poaching of animals and birds.
The Punjab cabinet is considering coming up with more amendments to the Punjab Wildlife Act 2007 to make illegal hunting and poaching a non-bailable crime.
Wildlife and Parks Punjab Director General Khalid Ayaz Khan told Express News that the fines are nominal and this is the reason that illegal hunting has continued unabated. "I have sent considerations to the committee concerned of the provincial cabinet. According to them, the illegal poaching, hunting of endangered of unique birds or animals and the use of their meat for commercial purposes should be deemed illegal."
Importing zoo animals: Punjab Wildlife Department unable to secure permit
Some officials believe the effort to send a notification to the committee concerned could go in vain because the government's tenure is going to end soon.
The wildlife department is vying for harsher sentences and heftier fines against illegal poaching and hunting by recommending amendments to the Punjab Wildlife Act 1973.
The fine for hunting or poaching endangered species, smuggling or hunting animals and birds without a licensed weapon could be increased up to Rs10,000 to Rs15,000 and should be a non-bailable offence.
Private fish farming gaining popularity
According to articles 16 and 16(a), 17, 18 and 18(a), hunting in a century wildlife breeding farm, national park, game reserve, wildlife park, safari park will warrant a prison sentence for three to 20 years or a Rs30,000 fine. Both can also be applied.
Ayaz said that he intended to form a wildlife police force. Last year, a notification from the wildlife secretary was issued, recommending an increase in a prison sentences and fines for illegal poachers and hunters.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 14th, 2018.