Quail hunting banned across Punjab

Officials seize, release 160 birds

RAWALPINDI:

The Rawalpindi Wildlife Department officers, while implementing province-wide ban on quail hunting, caught five poachers and seized 160 quails from their possession.

They released the birds in the wild and levied fine on the defaulters for hunting during the ban.

Although quail hunting is allowed in Punjab from August 15 to April 15, the provincial government imposed a ban a few days ago, said Punjab Wildlife Department Director General Nadeem Qureshi while talking to The Express Tribune on Saturday.

Punjab Wildlife Minister Muhammad Sibtain Khan had issued directives for a ban on quail hunting across the province, Qureshi said adding the ban will stay intact till further orders.

As per provincial laws, quail hunting is permitted from August 15 to April 15, however a ban is imposed during the breeding season to allow the quail population to flourish.

Quail hunting is allowed as a sport under licence only during the open season.

People found hunting quails during the off-season can face fines and cancelation of hunting licences.

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