Wildlife Rescue Force planned in Punjab

Equipped units to consist of trained personnel, ambulances, doctors and rescue vehicles

LAHORE:

The Punjab government has decided to establish a Wildlife Rescue Force which will consist of trained personnel, veterinary ambulances, doctors and rescue vehicles.

In the first phase, wildlife rescue units will be established in Lahore, Khanewal and Rawalpindi.

Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, has urged legislation regarding the possession of tigers, leopards and wild cats under the Wildlife Act.

The senior minister announced that a Bengal tiger being taken privately from Lahore to Multan had been rescued.

She also said that lectures and seminars were organised in schools and colleges at the district level across Punjab to educate the new generation and the general public about the conservation and survival of wildlife.

According to the amended Wildlife Act, 1973, citizens who keep animals illegally must be detained and heavily fined.

During a recent combing operation against illegal possession of wild animals in Sargodha, Nankana Sahib, Bahawalpur, Muzaffargarh, Gujranwala and DG Khan, 11 rare black bears, 96 parrots, 20 monkeys, 85 sparrows, six chakors, 35 pheasants, 45 partridges and 25 peacocks were seized in 10 days.

The minister confirmed that all these animals were being kept temporarily in different zoos to later be released in the wild.

She added, “Many of these animals have become rare in the world, so their protection is the duty of every human being. No one will be allowed to detain or torture animals illegally. The true habitat of the wild animal is forests and other natural habitats. Illegal confinement of wild animals and birds is a legal offence.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 3^rd, 2024.