The Punjab Wildlife Department has taken strict action against illegal partridge hunting, resulting in fines amounting to Rs. 550,000 being imposed on 35 hunters in the Salt Range and Rawalpindi regions.
Wildlife Inspections and Regulations Enforcement
The department has allowed partridge hunting only on Sundays between December 1 and January 31. As part of enforcement, teams led by Deputy Director Wildlife Salt Range Region, Rai Zahid Ali Kharl, conducted inspections of 110 vehicles, 299 hunters, and 296 permits.
During these checks, 17 on-the-spot challans were issued for violations, including illegal hunting of wild boar and rabbits, unauthorized use of PCP, and illegal possession of partridges. These violations resulted in fines totaling Rs. 181,000 for 9 compounded cases, while one case was sent to court, and 7 cases remain unresolved.
Enforcement in Rawalpindi and Attock
Similarly, Deputy Director Wildlife Rawalpindi Region, Raja Ihsan Ahmed, led inspections in the Rawalpindi and Attock districts during the legal partridge hunting period. These efforts led to the issuance of 15 challans for illegal hunting and regulatory breaches, resulting in fines of Rs. 266,000.
In Attock District, Assistant Director Wildlife Zeeshan Yousaf Jatoi and his team imposed a fine of Rs. 100,000 on three hunters for illegally hunting wild rabbits, successfully resolving the case.
Strict Monitoring to Protect Wildlife:Rs. 550,000
The Punjab Wildlife Department continues to emphasize the importance of adhering to regulations, reiterating that partridge hunting is only permitted under strict conditions to ensure sustainable wildlife management and conservation efforts.
American Hunter Secures First Kashmir Markhor of the Season with Record Bid
In a landmark moment for trophy hunting in Pakistan, American hunter Ronald Geo Whinton successfully hunted the first Kashmir Markhor of the season in Chitral. Whinton secured the hunting permit with a record-breaking bid of $271,000, the highest ever in the country’s history.
The permit, acquired during an open auction in October, allowed Whinton to hunt the endangered species under the supervision of wildlife authorities. The hunt, conducted on Sunday, resulted in the capture of an 11-year-old markhor with horns measuring 49.5 inches.
Farooq Nabi, Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife) for Chitral, highlighted the significance of the achievement, noting its contribution to local conservation efforts. The auction also included four permits for markhor hunting in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, further supporting wildlife preservation initiatives.
Conservation and Sustainable Trophy Hunting
This successful hunting season underscores the balance between regulated trophy hunting and conservation, with funds generated through permits contributing to the protection and management of endangered species like the Kashmir Markhor.
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan speaks with Reuters during an interview, in Lahore, Pakistan on March 17, 2023. — Reuters
