Punjab wildlife dept recommends steps to curb illegal hunting
Individuals found hunting in protected areas will be fined Rs50,000 to Rs0.2 million
Individuals found hunting in protected areas will be fined Rs50,000 to Rs0.2 million. PHOTO COURTESY: HUFFINGTON POST
LAHORE:
In order to curb the illegal hunting of birds and animals in the province, the Punjab Wildlife Department has sent a summary to the government for approval.
According to the recommendation, individuals found hunting in protected areas will be fined Rs50,000 to Rs0.2 million. They may also face up to five years in jail. Sources from the Punjab Wildlife Department say that the hunters continue to flout the rules because of the negligible penalty fee and punishment.
“Under existing rules and regulations, poachers found hunting in protected areas can be fined up to Rs50,000,” sources explain. “By increasing the fine and punishment, we hope to see a decrease in incidences of illegal hunting,” they added.
Wildlife department arrests illegal hunters
Further, the department also recommended giving modern vehicles and weapons to field staff in the summary sent to the Punjab government. According to the department, hunters use newer, faster vehicles as compared to the ones used by wildlife officials, which is how they are able to escape. Sources maintained that sometimes hunters also use modern weaponry and open fire on raiding teams.
Earlier, two employees from the Punjab Wildlife Department, Gujranwala Division were killed during a raid. “Raiding teams often risk their lives to arrest hunters who are released for a mere few thousand rupees,” expressed Lahore Division District Wildlife Officer Tanveer Janjua.
Previously, the department put forth the recommendation that hunting of rare animals and birds be proclaimed a non-bailable crime. However, this proposal was rejected during the initial stages.
In order to curb the illegal hunting of birds and animals in the province, the Punjab Wildlife Department has sent a summary to the government for approval.
According to the recommendation, individuals found hunting in protected areas will be fined Rs50,000 to Rs0.2 million. They may also face up to five years in jail. Sources from the Punjab Wildlife Department say that the hunters continue to flout the rules because of the negligible penalty fee and punishment.
“Under existing rules and regulations, poachers found hunting in protected areas can be fined up to Rs50,000,” sources explain. “By increasing the fine and punishment, we hope to see a decrease in incidences of illegal hunting,” they added.
Wildlife department arrests illegal hunters
Further, the department also recommended giving modern vehicles and weapons to field staff in the summary sent to the Punjab government. According to the department, hunters use newer, faster vehicles as compared to the ones used by wildlife officials, which is how they are able to escape. Sources maintained that sometimes hunters also use modern weaponry and open fire on raiding teams.
Earlier, two employees from the Punjab Wildlife Department, Gujranwala Division were killed during a raid. “Raiding teams often risk their lives to arrest hunters who are released for a mere few thousand rupees,” expressed Lahore Division District Wildlife Officer Tanveer Janjua.
Previously, the department put forth the recommendation that hunting of rare animals and birds be proclaimed a non-bailable crime. However, this proposal was rejected during the initial stages.