Action sought against excessive hunting of migratory birds

CHITRAL: The local elders and civil society members on Monday alleged that hunters of seasonal ducks were flouting the Section 144 imposed by the district administrations of Upper Chitral and Lower Chitral and the rules of Wildlife Department by carrying out excessive hunting of migratory birds in the area.

They said that both the deputy commissioners of Upper and Lower Chitral districts had taken notice of the issue and had imposed Section 144, banning the establishment of ponds and the hunting of ducks.

However, they added, the hunters had completely ignored these directives and they used to hunt the beautiful birds in excess during morning time.The elders complained that the situation was particularly dangerous around Chitral Town where the river flows between Chitral Airport and the Chitral-Gilgit Road, an area where military helicopters also operate frequently.

This reckless hunting, they said, posed a serious risk of a major accident.The social circles in Chitral have urged the authorities to strictly enforce Section 144, not only to protect residents from distress but also to allow these innocent migratory birds to pass safely over Chitral.

They emphasised that the Wildlife Department should also fulfil its responsibility and must take effective measures to protect these seasonal birds from cruel hunters.In Upper and Lower Chitral, there are two annual migratory duck seasons, the first from February to April and the second from September to November.

During these periods, local hunters brutally hunt these harmless migratory birds, turning what should be a peaceful natural event into a tragic slaughter.According to reports, hunters dig large ponds along riverbanks to trap the ducks. Before dawn, they take their positions with guns ready, and as soon as the ducks land in the ponds to rest or swim, the hunters open fire indiscriminately, killing them instantly.

With several such ponds spread across Chitral, it becomes almost impossible for any duck to survive or cross the Chitral border safely as if they escape one area, they are then shot in another.