Migratory birds descend upon Punjab

Official says birds begin to arrive around September

LAHORE: Migratory birds are slowly making their way to Punjab, leaving behind colder climates. These seasonal guests, some of whom are fleeing climates as harsh as Siberia, can be spotted at rivers, lakes and waterways scattered across the province.

In light of this yearly phenomenon, sources predict that the Punjab Wildlife Protection Department is likely to give permission for hunting migratory birds in October.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Punjab Wildlife Protection Department Director Naeem Bhatti highlighted that migratory birds begin to arrive in Pakistan around September. However, if there is rainfall in the colder regions, they begin to arrive around early November.

Currently, migratory birds can be spotted near various rivers, drains, lakes and reservoirs in the province. “In the coming days, the number of migratory birds will increase manifold and millions of these winged creatures will make Punjab their temporary home,” he said.

The Punjab Wildlife Protection Department is likely to allow hunting of migratory birds from October 1 to March 31. However, an official notification stating that same will be issued in the next few days.

Punjab Honorary Game Warden Badar Munir said that under the amendments made to the 2007 wildlife act, citizens will be allowed to hunt migratory birds. However, only those individuals registered with the department will be allowed to hunt on Saturdays and Sunday. Further, the hunter has to pay a fee of Rs2,000.

He revealed that citizens will be allowed to hunt a fixed number of birds while hunting in wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in strictly prohibited. He added that citizens are allowed to hunt in game reserves after obtaining a special permit from the Punjab wildlife director general.

In anticipation of the upcoming hunting season, the wildlife department has directed all field staff and protection squads to strictly monitor illegal hunting and poaching of migratory birds. Individuals caught hunting illegally can go to prison for up to five years and can be fined as much as Rs30,000. Moreover, officials also hold the authority to seize the vehicle and weapons used to hunt.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 9^th, 2019.