Saving Ecosystems: ‘Protecting Cholistan’s wildlife is a priority’

Breeding farms for research on the animal breeds native to Cholistan also being set up.

BAHAWALPUR:

A joint public-private effort to protect wildlife, especially in Cholistan, should be undertaken, Islamia University Bahawalpur (IUB) VC Muhammad Mukhtar said on Friday. He was speaking during a meeting with the Forest, Livestock and Fisheries Secretary Major (retd) Shahnawaz Badar.

Mukhtar said research should also focus on rare herbs, animals and birds of Cholistan. “These can be used to improve the socio-economic conditions of Cholistan’s people. A number of plant species in Cholistan have medical value.”

He said they had shifted focus to research in the last two years and had set up a special breeding farm for deer at the IUB’s Baghdadul Jadeed Campus. He said they were also setting up breeding farms for research on the animal breeds native to Cholistan. Secretary Badar directed his department officials to take up joint research with the IUB to save the wildlife in Cholistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25^th, 2012.