January 30, 2008 Wednesday Muharram 20, 1429

NGOs for strict implementation of hunting ban

By Our Correspondent

MITHI, Jan 29: Marooara, a network of more than 60 non-governmental organisations, has demanded a complete ban on hunting of near-extinct species of animals and stern action against poachers and hunters.

The chairman of Marooara coordination council Obhayo Junejo, project coordinator of Society for Conservation and Protection of Environment (Scope) Bharumal Armani, and programme coordinator of Baanh Beli Sultan said at a press conference at the press club that the Wildlife Department should stop issuing permit for houbara hunting to royal dignitaries in the name of hospitality.

Citing reports that influential hunters recently killed 56 deer and antelope of rare species in Tharparkar and Umerkot districts, they said that the department should ensure that the natural environmental balance and the sanctity of local culture and privacy were conserved.

They said that influential hunters, particularly dignitaries from Middle East and their orderlies, continued unabated hunting down deer, peacock and antelope, which were already on the verge of extinction.

“The Tharparkar district council, taking serious notice of the unjustified hunting and trapping of rare species, has been demanding the Wildlife Department from time to time that it should not issue hunting permits and ban hunting of near extinct species.

But the department has not thus far taken any effective measures to stop the practice,†they complained.

They called upon the government, non-government organisations and well-wishers of environment and wildlife to play their role in saving the environment and rare wildlife.

They emphasised that the locals should take measures through Panchayat system to discourage the practice of chopping down trees and hunting and poaching of wild species, whose number had been depleting at an alarming rate.

FYI this is Pakistan

thats right i agree but u see here in pakistan u simply cannot stop poaching why???because the law is for serious hunters only,u cannot get permits as they all goes to powerfull people,they get the permits cheap and sell them in thousands of dollors to forigners that incourage ilegal hunting,partriges r now become table food for cheif ministers,and barocrates, hunting in reserves and game sancharies r only allowed to goveners friends they get special permits even before start of hunting so my friend how can u stop poaching here,bag limits is unlimited,200 ducks hunt is a poor hunt unless it goes over 600 or 1000 ducks,its realy is shame,

Very similar to Kyrgyzstan. The places where there is almost no game are in the goverment hunting reserves. Go figure...