Illicit actions: Investigations into illegal deer hunting under way

The provincial wildlife and forests minister instigated the inquiry

KARACHI: The Sindh minister for wildlife and forests, Giyan Chand Essrani, has taken notice of the illegal hunting of rare deer in Achhro Thar, district Sanghar, ordering officials to submit a report within three days and arrest hunters and officials involved in the crime.

A wildlife department game warden set free some deer hunters after taking a bribe. The provincial conservator, Saeed Akhtar Baloch, said that the investigation is underway and stern action will be taken against the hunters and the game warden if these allegations are proven true.

Essrani has asked officials to arrest the hunters and the game warden immediately, saying that action should be taken according to the Wildlife Act.

The rare deer, whose hunting is completely banned, can be found in three districts bordering India, including Tharparkar, Sanghar and Khairpur. Around three years back, some 300 deer were released in these areas by an Arab dignitary.  "The population has increased visibly," an official of the wildlife department told The Express Tribune.

"Deer hunting occurs in these areas but not very often. It is not easy for an outsider to go hunting without the help of local people," the official explained.

Another official said that due to a lack of resources the department was not taking appropriate measures to stop these activities, saying wild animals were being hunted openly in these areas for years.

Interestingly, this is the second time in the last two weeks that the minister has taken notice of deer hunting. He rarely shows interest in the illegal trade of wild animals and birds, an official said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 2^nd, 2015.