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Lahore, Spearheaded by Senior Provincial Minister Ms. Maryam Aurangzeb and directed by DG Wildlife Mudassar Riyaz Malik, a province-wide operation against illegal wildlife possession has resulted in the arrest of 36 individuals and the imposition of fines totaling three hundred thousand rupees. The crackdown reflects a rigorous effort to enforce wildlife protection laws across various regions including Multan, Sargodha, Sahiwal, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Rawalpindi, and the Salt Range area.
According to Directorate General Public Relation – Govt of Punjab, the operation has been successful in recovering a wide variety of protected animals including a lioness, monkeys, parrots, peacocks, partridges, quails, and other species from the possession of those charged. In addition to arrests and fines, legal actions have been taken against the violators of the Wildlife Act, with several cases being forwarded to the courts for further proceedings.
The campaign is part of a broader initiative to safeguard Punjab’s diverse wildlife through active patrolling and enforcement of conservation laws. Additionally, efforts to reintroduce seized animals back into their natural habitats have been made, with several birds and other wildlife being released and some transferred to wildlife parks for rehabilitation.
This operation underscores the Punjab government’s commitment to preserving its natural heritage and biodiversity. The public is encouraged to play a role in these conservation efforts by reporting any incidents of wildlife law violations to the nearest Wildlife Department office, highlighting the collaborative approach being adopted to protect and develop the region’s wildlife resources.