Farmers have reportedly clashed with police in Mahni area of Mankera tehsil, in Bhakkar district, over damage to their crop caused allegedly by members of the Qatari royal family hunting houbara bustards. The police had asked the protesters to disperse peacefully, but they insisted that the hunters should leave instead because they were destroying the only crop produced during the entire season. The police baton-charged the protesters when they tried to continue their march towards the camps. The demonstrators shouted slogans against the government and the hunters. Later on, Mankera’s Assistant Commissioner Muhammad Mustafa reached the spot and held negotiations with the protesters. It was decided that a delegation of protesters would meet the royal hunters to find out whether or not the problem could be solved amicably through compensation etc. Hunting of the rare bird by Arab dignitaries had been continuing in the area for over a decade. “The UAE hunters caused less damage to our crops and compensated the affected farmers handsomely whereas the Qataris pay a nominal compensation to only some of the farmers,” said a local of the area. He said that last year the Qatari hunters announced that a hospital and a school would be built in the area when a similar protest had been held against them, but no initiative had been taken so far in this regard. District Police Officer Khalid Masood claimed the damage inflicted on the crop was not as grave as made out to be. The local farmers had become used to getting compensation from the royal hunters by holding demonstrations against them. He added that the Arab hunters had initiated various development projects in the area. Last year, the Supreme Court had lifted the controversial ban on the hunting of houbara bustard after the government had filed a review petition in the highest court to reverse the decision. The government had cited that the hunting was an important part of the foreign policy with some Arab countries. Moreover, the recent expedition of Qatar dignitaries has also coincided with the pending Panama Case in the Supreme Court. A lot of international NGOs and conservation societies had asked Pakistan to stop the hunting of houbara bustards, but the government has continued to avoid the recommendations despite it being termed as an endangered species. Moreover, the situation in this scenario also shows how the population of these areas is only concerned with what these Royalties provide them in return. There is no doubt that these countries have invested in these areas in some social facilities, these shouldn’t be conditional with the hunting permits of an endangered species. Lastly, efforts are needed to protect the houbara bustard, and the government should show its commitment to avoid any untoward situation. For this purpose, the attitude of the government must change towards the issue on urgent basis. Moreover, compensation must be provided to the people whose crops have been affected by the hunters. *