Six arrested for illegal hunting in Punjab

Special squad seizes firearms and hunted mag during raids in Gujrat's wildlife reserve.

Listen to article

Punjab’s wildlife department has intensified its crackdown on illegal hunting, arresting six suspects and seizing firearms over illegal hunting of wild duck in the border areas of the province.

The special wildlife squad conducted raids in Gatti and Naddala in Gujrat's tehsil, recovering four 12-bore shotguns, two rifles, and hundreds of bullets, Express News reported.

The suspects were apprehended during a blockade and face charges under the Punjab Wildlife Act.

“This operation underscores our commitment to protecting wildlife in restricted areas,” a wildlife official said.

The raids were carried out in the Border Belt Public Wildlife Reserve, where all hunting activities are strictly prohibited without a special permit issued by the Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department.

“No other department is authorised to grant hunting permits in these zones,” officials clarified.

The restricted areas include all public wildlife reserves and border regions up to eight kilometres from the zero line.

The crackdown comes amid rising concerns over illegal poaching in Punjab's protected zones. The arrested individuals will be prosecuted under laws aimed at safeguarding wildlife in the province.

Moreover, last month, an incident of illegal hunting of migratory birds was reported at the Head Rasul Game Reserve in Mandi Bahauddin.

A group of guests arrived in eight vehicles and, using a single hunting permit, unlawfully hunted more than 400 waterfowl at the reserve's Net House and Irrigation Rest House.

Fahad Malik, head of Save Climate and Nature, described the incident as a violation of wildlife protection laws, raising questions about the effectiveness of the Department of Wildlife's conservation efforts.

"Legally, a single hunting permit only allows for the shooting of 10 ducks," Malik pointed out, "yet here, regulations were disregarded."

"This matter urgently calls for a review of our hunting laws and national policies," said Fahad Malik.

He emphasised the need for more stringent and transparent policies and urged employees within the department to report any illegal activities.