‘Remove encroachments from wildlife park’

LAHORE:Forest, Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Captain (r) Muhammad Mahmood has directed the officers concerned that in order to protect land of Lohi Bheer Wildlife Park from land mafia, boundary pillars be erected and guidance be sought from the map prepared by the Survey of Pakistan to protect the park’s land adjacent to Korang Town.

He directed the officers to ensure removal of encroachments from the land of the park and in this regard department should approach the Supreme Court through the advocate general. He emphasised the officials to restore the Chak Plantation scheme throughout the province and establish large-scale plant nurseries and accelerate the process of tree plantation. He also directed them that a comparative report regarding production of fish hatcheries and expenditures be presented to him and TORs should be framed to outsource the fisheries nursery units and hatcheries.

According to a handout issued here on Friday, he issues the directions during his visit to Lohi Bheer and Bansra Gali Wildlife parks, fish hatcheries and chairing a meeting in the Forest Department. Wildlife and Parks DG Sohail Ashraf and other officers concerned were present on the occasions.

Muhammad Mahmood expressed displeasure over the cleanliness issues and lack of quality care arrangements for visitors in the parks and warned the wildlife deputy director concerned to improve all the issues pointed out within 30 days, otherwise, face strict disciplinary action.

On discussing the water scarcity issues, he directed that ponds should be constructed to save rainwater. He said would not only be helpful in catering to the water needs of the animals but the park too. He said that immediate steps should be taken to provide quality recreational facilities to the public at the Lohi Bheer and Bansara Galli Wildlife parks and installation of attractive and colorful boards containing information about the animals and birds be ensured. He also stressed upon the need to repair the cages and enclosures there. He ordered that deer enclosure be restored and trees be planted on the park's vacant land before the next spring.

The forest, wildlife and fisheries secretary blamed the wildlife staff for poor civil works and cleanliness conditions at Bansara Gali Wildlife Park, Murree and directed the Wildlife DG to prepare TORs and legal framework for outsourcing wildlife park.

The provincial secretary, after taking a briefing, visited fisheries hatchery in Rawalpindi and directed the officials to prepare a plan for the completion of quarantine lab, eradication of eucalyptus trees and plant other species of trees. He also directed the fisheries officials to prepare R&D projects with the help of universities. He ordered steps to improve breeding of Chinese carp.

He directed the fisheries officials to frame a comprehensive policy to hand over the seed production section to the private sector within 15 days.