National wildlife policy still on hold

Document will be tabled before CCI or federal cabinet once they received input from Sindh government

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has failed to finalise first ever national wildlife policy even after almost one year in office.

Sources said that delay was caused owing to lethargy of Sindh government as it was the only province left to submit comments on the policy. The Ministry of Climate Change had sent initial draft of the policy to all provinces for their input on the policy. The sources said that the ministry had drafted a policy with assistance of International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and it was decided to put it before the federal cabinet or council of common interests (CCI) after recommendations from provinces and other stakeholders.

After input from provinces, the draft was wholly revisited and a comprehensive one was prepared again.

Lack of interest of provinces delays wildlife policy

The policy suggested stringent laws against illegal hunting for protection of endangered species in the country. It also suggested to take provincial governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), masses and other stake holders on board to maintain and improve the health and diversity of wildlife heritage including species, habitats and associated protected areas across the country.

The Zoological Survey of Pakistan was recommended to conduct frequent surveys to keep a check on environmental conditions and maintain record of all types of species found across the country.

Further, the policy also suggested strict measures for protection of migrated birds, endangered species and their habitats, wildlife population, urban wildlife, zoo and safari parks. The policy discouraged measures against conservation of wildlife including trophy hunting and cruelty of humans towards wildlife.

In this regard, MOCC Secretary Hasan Jami, when contacted for comments said, the policy was still on hold due to Sindh. He said that policy would be tabled before CCI or federal cabinet once they received input from Sindh’s government.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 31^st, 2019.