CM orders steps to control illegal hunting of birds

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has ordered steps to effectively control illegal hunting of precious birds and other wildlife.He issued the directives while chairing a meeting on the establishment of National Parks and Wildlife conservation.

The chief conservator of Wildlife and other relevant officials attended the meeting, said a handout.

The chief minister termed the protection of wildlife of vital importance for the conservation of nature and biodiversity in the province.

He asked the officials to take a stern action against the elements involved in the illegal hunting, adding action should be initiated from his home district of Swat. Mahmood Khan directed the officials to plan projects for the breeding of birds at suitable places in collaboration with the private sector and gear up the work on the proposed projects for establishing new national parks in the province.

The chief minister asked the Forest and Wildlife departments to set up joint checkposts on a permanent basis across the province to stop illegal trafficking of birds and timber. He was told that a number of national parks have been proposed for promoting environmental, tourism and to expand protected areas network in the province which includes Nizampur National Park covering, Kamal Ban National Park, Rakh Topi National Park, Malkandi, Koh-e-Sulaiman and Ghusarah National Park.

The participants of the meeting were informed that various biosphere reserves have been proposed to ensure the conservation of biodiversity. These included Mankial in Swat, Kumrat, Palas in Kohistan.

Two new game reserves have been proposed which included at Parshalai in Bunir and in Hangu. It was informed that the project director had been hired for establishing a mini zoo in Swat district.

Briefing about the ongoing initiatives by the Wildlife Department under the 10 billion tree project, it was told that six partridge breeding centres had been established so far and a number of new birds procured. It was added that 125 community watchers have been hired for habitat improvement and protection of wildlife.

The participants of the meeting were told that four wildlife check-posts had been established to control the illegal trade of wildlife whereas work on other 12 such checks posts was in progress. It was added that two control desks at the Chitral Airport and as many at the Bacha Khan International Airport in Peshawar had been established.