Glad tidings: Ban on illegal bird hunting expanded

Punjab Wildlife Dept includes 10 bird species in the bird Schedule of the PWA

LAHORE:

In a bid to preserve biodiversity and enhance safety measures for the endangered species, the Punjab Wildlife Department has decided to place a ban on the hunting of 10 species of birds.

The move isn’t the only set of glad tidings as keeping these birds as pets in houses without a license would be considered a crime now. The department has decided to include these birds in the Third Schedule of the Punjab Wildlife Act. Under the Schedule, hunting of these birds or keeping them as a pet without a license would result in imprisonment and fine. These 10 species also include parrots and sparrows, which means a license is required to keep them indoors, while selling birds on the streets would be counted as a punishable offense. The director general of the wildlife department has sent recommendations to the secretary of the provincial wildlife department for the inclusion of the species. In the set of recommendations, it was stated that the Greater White-fronted goose, partridge, houses sparrow, Monias, See-see partridge, and weaver bird should be included in the First Schedule of the Punjab Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation, and Management) Act, 2007.

Apart from the abovementioned species, different types of parrots should be included either in the Fourth Schedule or the Third Schedule. The letter stated that the smaller Finches are not included in any schedule, so they should be incorporated within the Third Schedule. In the Third Schedule of the Wildlife Act, hunting of birds and animals is strictly prohibited. Meanwhile, the First Schedule specifies the time and number of birds and animals that can be hunted. The birds and animals included in the Fourth Schedule are allowed to be hunted. While lauding the wildlife department’s initiative, the public circles have said that earlier there was not a proper law for the protection of small birds, but now the Third Schedule will provide them the much-needed protection.

Ban on PCP airguns over hunting of birds

In wake of a considerable rise in poaching incidents, the Ministry of Climate Change has sent recommendations to all provinces and federal ministries to impose a complete ban on the import and use of the modern PCP (Pre-charged Pneumatic) airguns for hunting of birds. The ministry has also sought to declare a license mandatory for the Non-prohibited Bore (NBP) weapons used for shooting. The ministry said it has become necessary to ban the gun to prevent poaching of millions of birds across the country, adding that it was destroying birds’ natural habitat. Pursuing the federal recommendations, Punjab and Balochistan have issued a notification, according to which it is necessary to obtain an NBP weapons’ license prior to the use of the PCP airguns.

This powerful yet silent weapon, which can hit up to 400 yards, makes it quite easy to hunt many birds sitting at one place. The potent weapon, equipped with a silencer, is imported from China and is easily available at Rs25,000 to Rs60,000. In January 2020, Punjab’s Honorary Game Warden Badar Munir had sent a letter to the Ministry of Climate Change. The letter said the use of the PCP airguns for hunting of birds has increased drastically in the recent times. In his letter, Munir had recommended a complete ban on the use of these airguns for bird hunting across the country. Talking to The Express Tribune, arms expert Farhan Anwer said: “These weapons from China are imported at a cheaper price, while the Pre-Charged Air guns manufactured in Europe or other countries cost up to Rs500,000.” Anwer said that a few social media users discussed challenging this move in the court, but several people also endorsed the government ban.

Referring to the Wildlife Act, Anwer said, individuals who participate in hunting must be required to obtain an arms license. “Most PCP users hunt in urban areas without any permit and shoot endangered birds,” he said. “Usually, irresponsible youngsters are using the PCP guns, which is resulting in the mass killing of the birds and there is a need to curb it,” the expert added.