Special teams formed to curb poaching

Balochistan Wildlife Department has formed special teams to crack down on poaching, trapping of falcons and cutting of trees by timber mafia in the province after Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo took notice of illegal hunting and ordered action against it.

A government official said that the government has established Balochistan Council for Conservation of Wildlife for providing a dedicated research facility for animal life, conservation and public recreation

“We are in coordination with the departments concerned to control the illegal trafficking of indigenous birds abroad and zero tolerance has been adopted against poaching and hunting of animals and birds in the province,” he remarked.

He said the department has ensured preservation of wildlife in the province within limited available resources. He added the government was taking extensive measures to engage the community to save wildlife and educate the masses regarding wildlife and nature conservation.

The official said government has initiated community game reserve at Kharan to engage the local people with aim to conserve wildlife in the area. He said an extensive awareness drive was afoot to sensitize citizens about the importance of wildlife for the ecosystem. The drive was meant to discourage poaching- a major threat to the wildlife habitats in the province, he added. Bizenjo earlier directed all the commissioners to ensure complete eradication of wildlife poaching, deforestation in the province in collaboration with provincial departments.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 10, 2022.