Sindh wildlife department proposes ban on bird hunting amid floods

Provincial govt has been recommended to stop issuing permits for up to 2 years due to floods

KARACHI:

The Sindh Wildlife Department has proposed a ban on hunting of local and migratory birds, citing devastating floods and climate change.

Sources told The Express Tribune that the Sindh government had been recommended to stop issuing permits for the hunting of geese and partridge for up to two years.

Around three to four thousand permits are issued to local hunters every year. However, the recent heavy rains and floods have badly affected the wildlife along with humans.

The extreme heat in March and April has also affected the animal breeding.

Except Karachi, Kohistan, and desert areas, most of the bird habitats are hit by flooding.

The wildlife department has proposed to lift the ban after the population of wildlife is stabilised.

The department added that the ban should not be applied to the areas falling under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as they remained unaffected by the floods.

It is worth mentioning that that every year from November to February, which is the non-breeding season, hunting of 10 pheasants and geese is allowed on every Sunday after paying a fee and obtaining a permit as per the law.

However, hunting is not allowed in areas designated as national parks and sanctuaries.