13 arrested in wildlife protection operation

LAHORE:

The Punjab Wildlife Department has arrested 13 people across various cities, including Lahore, for violations of the Wildlife Act.

Authorities have imposed fines totaling more than Rs200,000 on those involved in the illegal activities.

In Lahore, two unlicensed bird dealers were apprehended, leading to the recovery of Indian ring-necked parrots (RAA Parrots), Alexandrine parrots (Ganidar Parrots), and hundreds of sparrows.

The sparrows were immediately released into their natural habitat, while the parrots were transferred to Jallo Wildlife Park for proper care. Additionally, eight individuals caught hunting ducks, wild rabbits, and wild pigeons in the Lahore area were arrested.

In other regions, 48 Alexandrine parrots were confiscated in Narowal, and ten partridges were seized in Mianwali.

Deputy Director of Wildlife Lahore Region, Dr Ghulam Rasool, confirmed that the recovered wild birds have been safely released, and the individuals involved were fined over Rs200,000.

Cases against three of the suspects have also been submitted to local courts.

On the legal hunting front, members of the Punjab Hunters Association, including wildlife expert Badar Munir and leaders Nauman Butt and Abdul Mughni, voiced their support for the Wildlife Department's ban on the use of PCP guns for hunting.

They agreed that all legal hunters should abide by the federal government's directives, but called for the allowance of spring guns for hunting purposes. They argued that these guns, often used for popping balloons, should not be prohibited for hunting.

The Hunters Association expressed its full cooperation with the Punjab Wildlife Department in curbing illegal hunting and urged legal hunters across the province to report any unlawful activity to both the association and the department.

Punjab Wildlife Department DG Mudassir Riaz Malik assured that the department's combing operations would continue until the recovery of all protected species.

He encouraged the public to report wildlife crimes without fear, emphasising the need for collective efforts to protect Punjab's wildlife.