Punjab tightens wildlife laws, experts alarmed

Revised act raises fines and penalties, but conservationists fear weaker protection for endangered species

Significant amendments have been introduced to the Punjab Wildlife Act, but, wildlife experts fear the changes could ultimately undermine rather than strengthen conservation efforts. Under the new provisions, the Punjab government has increased penalties for the illegal hunting, trading, and harming wild animals.

Offenders will now have to pay the department compensation for the hunted species, in additon to facing heavy fines for any vehicles, weapons, or other equipment used in the offence.

Wildlife expert and former Honorary Game Warden Badr Munir said that while Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Senior Minister Marriyam Aurangzeb, and the secretary for wildlife are making efforts for the protection of nature, “the bureaucratic elements within the department are introducing clauses that could undermine the chief minister’s vision.”

The new law focuses largely on penalties and powers, according to Munir, rather than on ecological conservation, species rehabilitation, and community-based management.

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Citing an example, he said, “If a hunter shoots a single partridge using a rifle and vehicle, he will be fined around Rs150,000 to Rs200,000, but if someone captures dozens of partridges using nets, the fine will be only a few thousand rupees.” He termed this imbalance “unfair and counterproductive,” arguing that it could encourage commercial poachers who already pose a severe threat to wildlife populations.

Munir also criticised the abolition of the Honorary Game Warden system, which existed under the 1974 Act. “These wardens acted as a bridge between the department, local communities, and hunting groups. They volunteered to monitor illegal hunting and supported conservation in the field. With this system gone, community involvement will weaken considerably,” he said.

In response, Additional Chief Wildlife Ranger Syed Kamran Bukhari clarified that the purpose of the amended law is not just to increase fines but to curb activities that have endangered wildlife for decades.

“In the past, fines were so minimal that offenders would simply pay and return to hunting. Now, penalties range from Rs10,000 to Rs1 million, depending on the nature of the offence, whether done on foot or using vehicles,” he explained. All items used in the hunting vehicles, motorcycles, guns, or nets will be confiscated as case property.

Also Read: Punjab escalates action against illegal hunting practices

Further, Bukhari noted that the fines are set according to fixed valuations – Rs500,000 for a vehicle, Rs100,000 for a motorcycle, and Rs25,000 for a bicycle. Separate penalties apply on local and foreign-made firearms.

Wildlife officers now have the same powers as police officers under the Code of Criminal Procedure, Bukhari said. This enables them to take independent legal action without relying on police support as they can register online FIRs and detain offenders at Wildlife Protection Centres.

Regarding the dissolution of the honorary warden system, Bukhari said it continues under the Wildlife Protected Area Rules, 2022, at three tiers – provincial, regional, and protected area levels. However, he emphasised that the Wildlife Management Board remains the apex decision-making body, stating “no major decision can be taken without the board’s approval.”