Caged cries: Illegal netting of falcons in full swing across K-P

Traditional birds also caught as bait for falcons

PESHAWAR: The illegal netting of Saker and Peregrine falcons has been rampant across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The main hunting grounds for these birds include Chitral, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Peshawar, Nowshera and Swabi.

An official of the wildlife department told The Express Tribune the most attractive location where these birds of prey first arrive is Shandur, Chitral.

“With the arrival of these birds, netting parties from Peshawar flock to the region as early as August 20,” he said. “Some local wildlife officials allegedly assist the hunters during the netting process.”

Price tags

According to the official, a Saker falcon can fetch one between Rs30,000 and Rs100 million.

The price varies according to the size and beauty of the bird. “Although the demand for Peregrine in Arab falconry is declining, the birds are still sold at a good price,” he said.

Global market

Peshawar is undoubtedly the world’s largest black market for Saker and Peregrine falcons and also supplies the birds to Gulf countries.

According to the wildlife department official, there are at least 10 entrepreneurs in Peshawar involved in this business.

“Birds hunted in Afghanistan and China also reach Peshawar from where they are transported to the Gulf countries illegally,” he added.

Vicious cycle

Falconry is banned in K-P and Arabs use Saker falcons to hunt Houbara bustards. “Our traditional birds of prey – sparrows, hawks and eagles – are not in demand so they do not have any market value,” the official said. “Unfortunately, hundreds of them are still caught and netted as bait for Sakers.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 12^th,  2015.