International day for protection of wildlife observed at Lahore Safari Zoo Park

Lahore: Director General Wildlife Khalid Ayaz Khan has said that checking of illegal hunting and rehabilitation of natural  places for birds and animals is need of the hour for the protection of wildlife. He said that a program is being evolved for creating awareness among male and female students of schools, colleges and universities about the protection of wildlife.

He said this while addressing a function held in connection with protection of international day for protection of wildlife being observed in 182 countries at Lahore Safari Zoo Park, here today.

Former Director General Wildlife Hayat Muhammad Khan, Member Zoo Park Management Committee Sara Tahir, Honorary Game Warden Punjab Shah Rukh Butt, former Honorary Game Warden Badar Munir, Professors from Punjab University and University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, students and
personalities from civil society were also present on the occasion.

DG Wildlife said that all possible steps are being taken for the rehabilitation of rare animals and protection of wildlife.

Khalid Ayaz Khan said that the projects are being implemented for enhancing production of wildlife and protecting them from threats. He said that laws exist for protection of wildlife but there is a need of to make these law more stringent. He said that all possible protection is being provided to wildlife through community based organizations but still a lot of work has to be done. He said that we have
to pledge for its protection on this day.

DG Wildlife said that due to increasing population and meeting the requirements, natural places for
birds and animals are destroying due to which there number is decreasing substantially. He said that besides protection of wildlife, rehabilitation of their natural places and provision of natural environment for their breeding is top priority of the department but civil society and NDOs will have to supplement the efforts of the department in this regard.

Khalid Ayaz Khan led the awareness walk regarding protection of wildlife and witnessed the stalls of stuffed and live birds and animals.

Earlier, former Director General Wildlife Hayat Khan Muhammad Khan, member of Zoo Management Committee Sara Tahir, Dr. Kamran, professors of Punjab University and University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences also addressed the function and threw light of the steps about the protection of
wildlife.