Rare species: High mortality endangers houbara bustard, says Balochistan High Court

Court laments lack of a concrete plan to address the issue

QUETTA: The Balochistan High Court (BHC) has directed the provincial government to take all the necessary measures to control the high mortality of internationally declared endangered bird, Houbara bustard, due to the non-sustainable hunting and reduced breeding success.

The Wildlife Department informed the court that the hunting rate of Houbara bustard was comparatively less than the previous year.

“There has so far not been any plan to address the issue, threatening Houbaras,” the court observed.

Division bench comprising Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail and Justice Muhammed Ejaz Swati said a lot is yet to be done to protect the rare species.

The Advocate General submitted “Houbara Bustard Conservation Programme 2010-2015” prepared by the Balochistan Forest and Wildlife Department, which outlines steps to be taken by the government for the conservation of the species, regulation of sustainable hunt, awareness, research, capacity building, protection of the species and increase in their population. The program was submitted in compliance with the previous court ruling.

The AG said the programme has been submitted to the provincial government for its approval and release of funds to implement the same.

“We have gone through the contents of the programme which seems to be a step in the right direction,” the court observed. “However, a lot is yet to be done,” the court remarked, adding, “The species are facing threats due to increased mortality.”

The court directed that it must establish the protected habitat and increase food resources, establish and maintain a Houbara captive breeding and for this purpose develop the technical skills to promote public awareness for public support.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 20^th, 2015.