The Punjab wildlife department has constituted several mobile teams to launch a vigorous campaign against poachers to protect wildlife species throughout the provinces especially during the sacrificial days of Eid-ul-Azha. Punjab Wildlife and Parks Director-General Rao Iftikhar Ahmad told APP here on Tuesday that heavy penalty would be imposed on poachers, besides registering criminal cases against them irrespective of their political or social status.
He said, all field officers have been strictly directed to take to task the poachers.
Rao Iftikhar Ahmad said more than 40 check-posts have been set up in various parts of the province to check the movement of the suspects.
He said only limited hunting is allowed under special permits during the hunting season to save the eco-balance, adding that night hunting and netting of all animals and birds has already been banned in the provinces.
"Guns, ammunition, vehicles and other paraphernalia from the poachers would he seized besides imposing heavy fine," he said.
Punjab Headquarters Deputy Director Agha Aizaz Ibrahim will monitor the performance of all mobile teams during the Eid holidays, he said.
Rao said despite large-scale destruction and indiscriminate hunting, Pakistan still has a great variety of wildlife, adding the wildlife parks-cum-breeding centres are playing a key role in the preservation and captive breeding of indigenous and exotic wildlife species besides providing recreational facilities to the public.