Transferring power: Sindh govt to issue permits to hunt Houbara Bustard after PA resolution

A resolution will be moved in the upcoming Sindh Assembly session.

KARACHI: Sindh government has decided to move a resolution in its upcoming session of the Sindh Assembly to transfer the authority of issuing the permission for hunting Houbara Bustard from the federal government to the provincial government.

The hunting of these migratory birds usually takes place from November to February in mountainous and desert areas, including Thano Bola Khan, Sehwan, Johi and Tharparkar.



“All affairs of the Wildlife Departments had been transferred to the provincial government after the 18th Amendment,” said Parliamentary Affairs and Environment Minister Dr Sikandar Ali Mandhro.

The migratory bird is at the risk of becoming extinct in the province due to excessive hunting by foreigners, he said, adding that efforts are being made by the provincial government to protect this precious species.

While talking to the media on Monday, Dr Mandhro said that a resolution will be moved in the upcoming session so that authority of giving permits for hunting could be completely transferred to the provincial government. He also said that the federal government will be requested through the resolution that permission for hunting should not be allowed and the authority should also be transferred to the Sindh government.



According to him, the migratory birds come from Central Asian states during winter season. “After the transfer of authority, the Sindh government will also impose a ban on hunting and will take measures so that the bird can be protected.”

An official of the Wildlife department said that mostly foreigners were involved in the hunting but restrained from commenting further before the resolution was moved. “I don’t think the hunting [of Houbara Bustard] will be restricted after the transfer of authority but let’s hope for the best,” he said. WWF-Pakistan’s technical adviser Muhammad Moazzam Khan said that the hunting of Houbara Bustard has been going on for several years. “The hunting is not limited to Sindh but also takes place  in Balochistan and Punjab,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 20^th, 2013.