Daily Times

BADIN: Hunters and poachers are prowling the Lake District of Badin and killing and trapping migratory and other birds every day as the Wildlife department stays closed eyed to create a room for the illegal hunters.

Like every past years, winter hunting has started in several areas of the district Badin, while the most targeted birds are common coot, purple gallinule, Flamingo, shed duck, black-bellied duck and other rarer migratory birds, and stated to be illegal for preying.

According to the sources local influential people are killing and trapping migratory birds from the lakes of Jakhaji, Bareji, Perhil, Dafferi, Shakoor and others small and big lakes. It should mention that millions of wild birds from Russia, Siberia and other central Asian states migrate towards Pakistani lakes every year at the onset of winter, usually in the month of November. These birds leave their homeland and move thousands of miles away as an escape from icy winter and food scarcity.

Unfortunately, they are not safe even here because of the illegal hunters and apathetic attitude of Wildlife department.

Netting and hunting of these migratory birds, both for recreation and for trade purposes are very common in every part of district. The influential people hailing from different areas of the district come here for hunting and poaching of precious species and they do it on daily basis for the pleasure by violating the hunting rules and regulations.

The hunted birds are being sold openly in the towns and cities including Badin, Kadhan, Behdmi, Bhugra Memon, Ahmed Rajo, Seerani, Nindo, Tando Bago, Shadi Large, Luwari Shari and others towns at the rate of Rs.200 to Rs.600 per bird.

Source also mentioned that somewhere the poachers are more powerful because of their affiliation with politicians. Despite a clear and comprehensive law regarding this matter, several poachers, especially the local influential continue to do illegal hunting and migratory birds are being sold under the protection of local authorities of the department. The representatives of the civil society, Badin has demanded from the higher authorities to stop the act of illegal hunting and take stern action to bring the illegal poachers behind the bars.