Wildlife projects underway in Balochistan

Projects to preserve wildlife habitats and its breeding grounds

QUETTA:

Balochistan government has been working to preserve wildlife habitats and its breeding grounds in the province and several projects are underway in this regard.

Secretary Forest Abdul Wali said that under the Ten Billion Tsunami Project’s wildlife component, several steps are afoot to ensure protection to the wild species on a 2,100 acre setup.

Project Director Niaz Kakar said that under the project, scores of steps had been taken for the protection of wildlife and welfare of the local population by providing them with jobs and other facilities.

The local population in 28 areas has been made the guardian of the projects.

The step was aimed at providing jobs to the area people, he said, adding that with the support of the local population, as many as 15 breeding farms have been set up which are being run successfully.

Niaz Kakar noted that steps were also underway for the protection of rare species.

“As many as 885 ponds have been constructed where water is always available to them,” he noted.

He added that Balochistan was the place where migrated Siberian birds arrive in winter and 20 staging areas have been set for the food and protection of these migratory birds, he said.

Likewise, 71 projects on a small level have been initiated for the welfare of the local population. About further steps taken in this connection, he said three wildlife offices, three huts, seven solar units have been set up, while 40 students from different universities have also been engaged in the project.

Earlier Abdul Wali Kakar said protection of forest and wildlife is the collective responsibility of society, adding with joint efforts we can make our country more beautiful.

He called upon officers and staff of the forest department to leave no stone unturned in the discharge of their responsibility.

“Negligence in this connection would not be tolerated as stern action would be taken against those found negligent”, he concluded.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 28^th, 2022.