Daily Times

Pakistan is a land of diverse geographical features ranging from the Himalayas in the North to the wide Arabian Sea in the South. Its unique and diverse geographical landmarks make it a home to distinct biodiversity. Pakistan is blessed with varied wildlife including big cats, Markhor, wild sheep and goats, vultures, eagles, hawks, falcons, turtles, dolphins, sharks and many more.

Some of these animals are used for nutritional purposes. Some animals are killed for hunting and made captive for entertainment in zoos and circuses. Many species are precious and are used for medicines and exported to earn dollars. The skin of many of these animals is also a very expensive commodity in the market.

A healthy ecosystem is possible only through a balanced wildlife in our eco-systems. In Pakistan, there are many threats to wildlife in the form of climatic changes, illegal hunting and import/export opportunities. There is also a lack of a healthy environment and over-consumption for commercial purposes. These threats lead to many precious species of wildlife, becoming endangered. The outcome of these dangers causes disturbance in the whole eco-system. In the past, some serious actions were taken for the protection of wildlife in Pakistan including the establishment of a Wildlife Inquiry Committee in 1968 and later on, the formulation of a National Council for Wildlife. During the same years, some provincial legislation on wildlife was also done but concrete steps to protect wildlife in Pakistan at the national level are missing.

The present government has realised that the missing aspect in the conservation and protection of wildlife in Pakistan. Ex-PM Nawaz Sharif initiated the Green Pakistan Programme and various measures were suggested for wildlife conservation besides the restoration of the forest sector under this program. These  programmes include the re-organisation of wildlife departments in Pakistan, increase in the capacity building of wildlife departments, and incentives for performance in the protection of wildlife. The former prime minister also established a Houbara Bustard Endowment fund to protect disappearing species of Houbara Bustard in Pakistan. The wildlife and forest departments under the Ministry of Climate Change are also working towards establishing a Zoo cum Botanical Garden in Islamabad.

There should be more liaisons between custom departments, highway police, and wildlife departments to stop the illegal export and import of animals internationally and nationally

A comprehensive National Wildlife Policy of Pakistan is the need of the hour under international commitments and national requirements. This was realised by the Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Mushahidullah Khan. He instructed the wildlife department under the Ministry of Climate Change to formulate a detailed and comprehensive first National Wildlife Policy of Pakistan. In this regard, the first meeting of all stakeholders from federal and provinces was held on 15th December 2017 at the Ministry of Climate Change to discuss the formulation of a first ever Wildlife Policy of Pakistan.

Pakistan will be among the few countries in the region to have its own National Wildlife Policy. The Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Mushahidullah Khan also has the credit of starting the process of a New Forest Policy, an initiative of the Zoo cum Botanical Garden in Islamabad.

There are a number of suggestions for the first Wildlife Policy of Pakistan. We need to breed and protect wildlife according to new climatic changes. The initiatives are required to adapt wildlife in Pakistan to harsh weather patterns. Secondly, the capacity and powers of local wildlife departments should be increased so they can ensure the implementation of hunting laws and protect wildlife.

A hygienic, healthy and natural environment at commercial places like zoos and circuses should be ensured. In the case of non-compliance, heavy fines should be imposed, and commercial activity should be banned till there is due compliance. There should be at least one veterinary doctor attached with each local wildlife department who has proper qualifications. The trophy hunting of Markhor is a success story in Pakistan. Other animals and birds can be identified to implement trophy hunting policy.

There should be more liaisons between custom departments, highway police, and wildlife departments to stop the illegal export and import of animals internationally and nationally. The private sector, like the non-government organisations and media can be mobilised to keep a check on wildlife issues through public awareness. The captivity of wildlife animals should be banned in homes. Similarly, more taxes can be imposed on industries like leather, and hand woven shawls that utilise the skin of animals. This additional revenue in the form of increased taxes must be utilised in wildlife protection. Furthermore, the commercial breeders of animals and birds in Pakistan must be registered and licensed.

The writer is based in Islamabad and works on environmental issues. She can be reached at Zilehuma_1@hotmail.com

Published in Daily Times, January 10^th 2018.