Illegal hunting: Wildlife Department recovers Rs 66.78 million

Director General Wildlife and Parks Punjab, Khalid Ayaz Khan has said that a total fine of Rs66.78 million has been recovered in lieu of 22,994 cases registered during last seven years against those who were involved in illegal hunting and other offences of wildlife laws through officers of the department and courts. He said that all Regional Deputy Directors Wildlife and Wildlife Officers have been directed to pursue pending court cases on priority basis and make requests to the courts for early decisions.
He told this while talking to media persons during his visit to Lahore Zoo and Safari Park to review the security arrangements and to check the facilities being provided for visitors, here Sunday. On this occasion Deputy Director Wildlife Headquarters Naeem Bhatti, Director Lahore Zoo Shafqat Ali and Deputy Director Wildlife and In-charge Lahore Safari Zoo Park were also present.
Discussing details, Khalid Ayaz Khan said that officers of the department compounded 7952 cases against illegal hunters and offenders under wildlife act and received Rs42.2million as departmental compensation whereas 15,042 cases were decided by the court and Rs24.5 million received as fine.
Answering a question, Khalid Ayaz said that recovery of fine from illegal hunters is not the duty but elimination of the trend of illegal hunting is the responsibility of Wildlife Department. He said that all wildlife officers have already been directed to take every possible step to hinder illegal hunting in Punjab.
He said that those areas should be focused where more problems exist and desired targets and results be achieved at any cost. He further said that all officers of the department have been directed to work efficiently to further raise the image of the department as well as to clear the pendency in courts at the earliest.
DG Wildlife directed the Director Lahore Zoo and DD Lahore Safari Zoo Park to furnish a detailed report of security cameras. He also visited the monitoring room of security cameras and ordered to further enhance the number of cameras. He further said that cold water arrangement be made for small kids even in the month of Ramazan because kids are exempted from fasting. He specially directed the in-charge of Lahore Safari Park Syed Zafarul Hassan to be vigilant and keep an eye on on-going projects of Zoo Safari for their early completion.