Bird species dying as hunting season begins
Hunting is becoming common among residents after its popularity among Arab Sheikhs.
DAHARKI:
With the arrival of winter, hunting season in the desert areas of Cholistan has also started.
Rare species of birds, which make their way towards Pakistan, are slowly becoming extinct as the wildlife department remains silent. Hunters, most of whom are rich Arabs, are allowed to move about freely in the desert. The district administration also appears to be helpless in front of the hunters as they are usually backed by influential people in the government.
Teal is the most popular bird among hunters and is found in popular sites such as Khenjo, Gabar, Noorpur, Masidolan, Wari Waro and Kori Waro.
“We need to stop both the illegal and legal killing of rare birds to protect their species,” said game warden Wali Muhammad Shah. He feared that these birds will soon become extinct if the government does not take any action.
DCO Sukkur Abdul Aziz Uqaili assured that they will initiate an inquiry into illegal hunting and against those responsible for it. “We will take steps to stop both the legal and illegal hunting of birds,” he said.
Illegal hunting by influential people has been going on for several years in Ghotki district. Instead of being reprimanded for their actions, foreign hunters are provided luxurious residences and local expertise by influential men in the area.
Residents of Ghotki have also picked on this passion and are equally involved in hunting them. Hunters are often careless with their guns and sometimes butcher the bird to kill it.
Meanwhile, Ghotki administration has added to this passion by marking 35 acres of land as a hunting zone. Despite spending thousands of rupees, no birds can be found in this area.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 5th, 2010.
With the arrival of winter, hunting season in the desert areas of Cholistan has also started.
Rare species of birds, which make their way towards Pakistan, are slowly becoming extinct as the wildlife department remains silent. Hunters, most of whom are rich Arabs, are allowed to move about freely in the desert. The district administration also appears to be helpless in front of the hunters as they are usually backed by influential people in the government.
Teal is the most popular bird among hunters and is found in popular sites such as Khenjo, Gabar, Noorpur, Masidolan, Wari Waro and Kori Waro.
“We need to stop both the illegal and legal killing of rare birds to protect their species,” said game warden Wali Muhammad Shah. He feared that these birds will soon become extinct if the government does not take any action.
DCO Sukkur Abdul Aziz Uqaili assured that they will initiate an inquiry into illegal hunting and against those responsible for it. “We will take steps to stop both the legal and illegal hunting of birds,” he said.
Illegal hunting by influential people has been going on for several years in Ghotki district. Instead of being reprimanded for their actions, foreign hunters are provided luxurious residences and local expertise by influential men in the area.
Residents of Ghotki have also picked on this passion and are equally involved in hunting them. Hunters are often careless with their guns and sometimes butcher the bird to kill it.
Meanwhile, Ghotki administration has added to this passion by marking 35 acres of land as a hunting zone. Despite spending thousands of rupees, no birds can be found in this area.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 5th, 2010.