Sir: I want to draw the attention of the concerned departments to the danger looming over the wildlife in Pakistan. Wild animals are facing serious threats to their survival and existence, and many of them have almost the battle of survival as the indifference to their miserable conditions has gone untamed. Our country has a variety as far as the features of the land are concerned. It has snow-clad high mountains as well as vast deserts. Its coastal line is fascinatingly long. In short, the land of Pakistan provides shelter to a variety of wildlife.
The problem is that the hunting of animals has killed wildlife so brutally that animals and birds are available only in the zoos or in the safari parks.
Once upon a time, our wild areas served as the hunting grounds for the Mughal princes. The princes loved to visit these areas and encamped there for many weeks. Wildlife used to be in great abundance.
During the last twenty or thirty years, violent killing of these animals has effaced a few species from the earth. The animals that have survived are almost extinct and the forests have lost their beauty.
The presence of wildlife attracts foreign visitors. It encourages tourism. The result is that the country gets introduced on the international circuit. It promotes the business of tourism. People of the West like to see wildlife in its habitat. We can attract them to our barren areas by establishing more and more safari parks.
No doubt, it is an activity that requires a lot of funds but it is productive as Well. Moreover, we can appeal to the international donors. With their help, we can save the wildlife of our area and can earn business as well.
SYED MUHAMMAD BILAL HAIDER
Karachi
Published in Daily Times, April 29th 2018.