Wildlife dept to amp up fines for illegal trade

Minimum penalty may be increased to Rs50,000 and maximum to Rs100,000

LAHORE:

Punjab Wildlife Protection and Parks Department has decided to launch a crackdown against those involved in smuggling and illegal buying and selling of animals under the guise of farming.

The department has also accelerated action against illegal hunting of various birds after the end of the breeding season.

Reportedly, in a month, 10 bird-catching groups were caught using nets and heavy fines were imposed on them.

After the completion of the breeding season, various wild animals including red squirrels, partridges, common birds, squirrels and parrots were actively being hunted. Birds were being hunted in Lahore, Kasur, Ferozewala, Gujranwala and Sialkot, along the Ravi and Sutlej rivers. The birds were then sold at the bird market in Lahore. They were also sold to those seeking to free them as an act of charity.

Lahore District Wildlife Officer Tanveer Ahmad Janjua said that during the last one month, his team had caught 10 groups hunting birds with nets. He said thousands of rupees worth of fines had been imposed on the groups and birds had been released immediately.

Honorary Game Warden of Wildlife Department Badar Munir said poaching had significantly decreased during the lockdown imposed to prevent the spread of coronavirus, but for its eradication, there was a need to increase the penalties and take more vigorous action against hunting.

He added that the wildlife department had proposed to the government to increase the fines to curb poaching.

The provincial cabinet has approved the proposals and now they are with the law department for the drafting of a bill that would be presented in the Punjab Assembly after further approval. The official said the department was trying to get the bill to increase the fines and punishment passed during the current year.

He elaborated that action would also be taken against those illegal trade of animals under the guise of wildlife farming. He expressed the hope that after the enactment of the law, smuggling and illegal trade of wild animals and birds would end.

According to wildlife department officials, by amending Section 21 of the Punjab Wildlife Act 2007, the maximum term of imprisonment would be increased from two to five years and the minimum sentence had been fixed at three years.

It has been recommended that the minimum amount of fine be increased from Rs10,000 to Rs50,000 and maximum to Rs100,000, while the licence for weapons used in poaching will be suspended for 10 years. The official price of rare breeds will also be increased according to their age.

The game warden also said that the wildlife department had a total sanctioned manpower of 2,000, but about 500 posts were vacant.

The department has 16 wildlife parks, four zoos, 35 sanctuaries, 23 game reserves, four national parks, hunting grounds and open areas across the province.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 23^rd, 2020.