A summary prepared by Punjab Forest Secretary Shahid Zaman regarding the upgradation of the Department of Wildlife into a potent wildlife ‘force’ has been forwarded to Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar.
The step is being taken to strengthen the protection of forests and wildlife across the province by empowering the ‘watchers’ on ground and providing them tools to perform their duties with increased effectiveness.
It has been recommended that the currently powerless wildlife force be equipped with vehicles, motorcycles, drones and weapons for the purpose of taking security monitoring to the next level.
The first stage in the implementation of the decision will be upgrading the status of wildlife watches from Scale 5 to Scale 9, with the post of head watcher being abolished. Meanwhile, wildlife inspectors will be promoted to Scale 11 from Scale 9.
The Chief Minister has approved the intended promotions, and an official notification regarding the same will be issued early next year.
So far, the scantily equipped staff has been unable to deal effectively with poachers and hunters causing trouble in the densely-covered confines of public-private forests.
Hunting in groups and armed to the teeth, many of these hunters and poachers barely hesitate before causing bodily harm to wildlife personnel, who in contrast have nothing to defend themselves with or to enforce the rule of law.
As the current year comes to a close, it has been learnt that of the 23 clashes reported between the staff and the offenders, two employees lost their lives on duty and 15 others were injured while attempting to subdue poachers and prevent illegal hunting in Punjab.
As per the summary, 80 cars, 450 motorcycles and 100 drones will be procured for forest security, wildlife conservation and monitoring. Additionally, a total of 120 check posts will also be set up.
Close-circuit cameras will be installed on major routes of forests, while drones will aid night-time monitoring greatly.
All wildlife watchers and inspectors will also be given walkie-talkies, which will help cut down on unnecessary delays and bridge communication gaps between check posts and security staff on duty.
Punjab Forest Secretary Shahid Zaman has said that there will be a complete ban on the hunting of birds during their breeding season (February to May) and strict action, including arrests and registration of cases, will be taken against the violators of the ban.
“Once the wildlife force is regularised, the department will be able to conduct effective crackdowns against poachers and unethical hunters on its own,” said Zaman.
He affirmed that the decision will be implemented in the beginning of the next year after receiving official approval from the Chief Minister.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 24th, 2021.
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