Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Punjab, Muhammad Basharat Raja stated that the provincial government would encourage the setting up of safari parks, zoo, import of birds, animals and breeding of wildlife in private sector.
He was speaking at "Consultancy Workshop on Development of Safari Parks in Punjab", here on Wednesday. On the special directive of the Chief Minister Punjab, a safari park of international standard would be set up in the city to provide best quality recreational and entertainment facilities to people, he added.
He said now experts of international repute had been invited to design the safari park. He further said that the provincial government had repealed all old laws of Forest, Wildlife and Fisheries Department and enacted new legislation to meet the future requirements, he said.
He added; "we are introducing a new law wherein private sector will be allowed to set up safari parks, zoos and breeding centres for the promotion and conversation of wildlife wealth in the province'. He further said that Chief Minister attached due importance to the conservation of wildlife wealth and now the annual budget of the wildlife department has been increased from Rs 70 million to Rs 400 million for the promotion and protection of wildlife in the province. Secretary Wildlife, Forestry and Fisheries, Punjab, Javed Majid, Director General, Wildlife and Parks, Punjab, Muhammad Imtiaz Tajwar and Bernard Harrison, Consultant also spoke on the occasion.