Key Takeaways
- Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif highlights significant achievements in wildlife protection.
- 50,000 birds and 1,020 wild animals rescued, with 14,700 challans issued and 1,050 FIRs registered.
- Establishment of 104 Wildlife Protected Areas and three Wildlife Rehabilitation Centres.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced that the province is setting new benchmarks in wildlife conservation and promotion. Speaking on the occasion of Wildlife Day, she highlighted several significant achievements in this domain.
According to the CM, Punjab has successfully rescued 50,000 birds and 1,020 wild animals, with 14,700 challans issued and 1,050 FIRs registered for wildlife protection. These figures underscore the province's commitment to enforcing wildlife laws and ensuring the safety of local fauna.
The CM also mentioned the establishment of 104 Wildlife Protected Areas and three Wildlife Rehabilitation Centres across Punjab. These centres play a crucial role in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of injured and orphaned wildlife, contributing significantly to the province's conservation efforts.
Innovative measures such as the launch of an AI-based survey through thermal drones to identify safe habitats for the Punjnad dolphin have been introduced. This initiative marks a first for Punjab and highlights the province's commitment to cutting-edge wildlife management.
For the first time, a regular Wildlife Rangers force has been established, with 544 personnel having completed their training. Formal patrolling and wildlife crime operations have also been launched, ensuring a robust enforcement mechanism for wildlife protection.
The chief minister reported that strict enforcement of wildlife laws has resulted in the issuance of 14,700 challans and the registration of 1,050 FIRs, with Rs205 million recovered in fines. State-of-the-art vehicles, communication and rescue equipment, protective gear, and other operational support have been provided to enhance wildlife protection operations.
A total of 950 complaints and cases received through the Wildlife Helpline 1107 have been resolved, while 13 modern rescue vehicles have been added to field formations. The establishment of a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital complex for the treatment of wild animals has also been a significant step forward.
Other notable initiatives include the launch of the Wildlife Hospital on Wheels and Mobile Veterinary Clinic projects, the preparation of 920 GIS maps for the promotion of wildlife, and the digitisation of 108 Wildlife Protected Areas. Regional centres in Kallar Kahar, Multan, Sahiwal, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, and Faisalabad have been linked with the GIS mapping system.
GPS collar trackers have been introduced to monitor the safety and movement of wild animals, while emergency veterinary care centres have been established at Lahore Safari Zoo. These centres offer unique facilities including the Savanna Cinema, Giraffe Safari Café, and Safari Tree Café. A Wildlife Communication Hub has also been established at Lahore Safari Zoo for information, awareness, and nature education.
The CM announced the launch of the first Wildlife Students Internship Programme, offering a monthly scholarship of Rs60,000. Seven community-based sanctuaries and seven private wildlife reserves have also been established, further enhancing the province's commitment to wildlife conservation and promotion.
