Gang of 16 poachers intercepted

ISLAMABAD: A gang of 16 poachers with 20 hunting dogs with them was intercepted by Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) for their alleged hunting of endangered species in the Margalla Hills National Park. “This was the 30th attempt of the illegal hunting in the Islamabad Capital Territory this year which was foiled by the vigilant team of IWBM,” an official of the Board informed on Saturday. IWMB Assistant Director Sikhawat Ali said the poachers, who were in possession of sophisticated weapons and a pack of twenty hunting dogs, were besieged with the help of locals and police at H-9 forest area. During the investigation, they revealed that they were hunting wild boars and their next destination was Margalla Hills Park. A fine of Rs20,000 was imposed  on them under section 5 and 6 of the Islamabad Wildlife (Preservation, Conservation and Protection) Ordinance, 1979, he added.  

Published in The Express Tribune, September 9^th, 2018.