Call to implement wildlife laws

LAHORE
Each year hundreds of freshwater turtles, migratory birds and endangered animals are caught, smuggled, killed or butchered by illegal wildlife traffickers in the country.
This was revealed by WWF-Pakistan’s board members in a meeting held here Sunday. According to a press release, the meeting emphasised the need to initiate mass awareness campaigns on illegal wildlife trade. The meeting was attended by inspector general of forests, Ministry of Climate Change, Dr Ejaz Ahmed, senior director, WWF-Pakistan, and Rab Nawaz, senior director, Biodiversity, WWF-Pakistan.
The board highlighted the need for the government to implement wildlife laws in true spirit and award exemplary punishment to wildlife traffickers involved in such heinous acts.
The board approved the implementation of the project of combating illegal wildlife trade by establishing a national monitoring network that benefits local communities and environment funded by USAID.
The decision comes at a critical time when reports of illegally trafficked birds and turtles have increased (at least 12 laggar falcons were rescued by the Sindh Wildlife Department during a raid in hilly areas of Jamshoro District last week as well as 62 turtles and tortoises near Korangi Industrial Area, Karachi).
Speaking on the occasion, Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General, WWF-Pakistan said that illegal wildlife trade has become the fourth most profitable business in the world. Pakistan should have strict vigilance and surveillance mechanisms in place at various exit and entrance points bordering neighbour countries and international airports. He shared that WWF-Pakistan has rescued and safely released hundreds of freshwater and marine turtles, dolphins, whale sharks, whales and other entangled or confiscated animals into their natural habitat. ‘WWF-Pakistan’s awareness programme is educating fishers on how to protect marine biodiversity in Pakistani waters and we hope the new project on illegal trade will strengthen the capacity of relevant law enforcement agencies by providing capacity building trainings and equipping them with the required tools,’ he added.
Ahmer Bilal Soofi, president, WWF-Pakistan, commented that the rate of loss of natural habitats for wildlife is escalating in Pakistan. Concerted strategies need to be developed to prevent animal loss and improve the conservation status of key species, including those which are vulnerable to pollution, illegal trade, habitat loss and climate change impacts.
During the meeting, board members also supported sustainability of WWF-Pakistan’s 10 Conservation Information Centres by committing to explore funding opportunities. The board appreciated initiatives taken by the Houbara Foundation International to set up a deer and Houbara breeding centre at the Lal Suharna National Park.