Wildlife: Safari park, breeding centres planned

LAHORE:

The government encourages the establishment of safari parks and zoos and the import of birds, animals and breeding of wildlife in private sector, Shah Nawaz Badar the Forest, Fisheries and Wildlife secretary, said on Tuesday.

Badar said that the government will launch an ambitious plan where private sector will be allowed to set up safari parks, zoos and breeding centres for the promotion and conversation of wildlife in the Punjab.

He said that the chief minister had shown personal interest in establishing international standard parks for the citizens. International experts will be invited to design the safari park, he said.

The secretary stressed for creating awareness among the people about the importance of conservation of wildlife. He said that the chief minister had allocated funds for promotion and protection of wildlife in the province.

Badar said that the officials had been directed to take strict actions against poachers.  Raiding teams have been deployed at important focal points to monitor poachers, he said. He also expressed concern over the maintenance of the safari park and the Lahore zoo saying that these places were a source of recreation for the citizens and should be taken care of.



Published in The Express Tribune, July 27^th, 2011.