Wildlife Watchers to patrol for checking illegal hunting :Khalid Ayaz Khan

Lahore: Director General Wildlife & Parks Punjab Khalid Ayaz Khan has said that decision has been taken in principle for the demarcation of the area under administrative control of wildlife department through satellite images as well as demarcation of already declared game reserves,wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in accordance with the modern needs. Implementation of the decision will soon be started, he added.

He stated this while presiding over a meeting of Deputy Directors and Assistant Directors Wildlife of the province at his office,here today. Honorary Game Warden Punjab Shahrukh Butt, former Honorary Game Warden Punjab Badar Munir and Deputy Director Headquarters besides other officers were present on the occasion.

Khalid Ayaz Khan said that the senior officers of Forests Department should ensure consultation with
officers of Wildlife Department of the concerned district while devising plantation plan and plant saplings of local varieties.

DG Wildlife stressed upon the officers to complete pairs of animals and birds and shifting of wildlife stock should be completed as early as possible. He said that practicable proposals should be given for enhancing income of wildlife Department through selling surplus stock of animals. He said that decision has been taken for the setting up of offices and filling vacant posts at tehsil level.

He directed officers to submit report to the head office within 15 days after setting up of tehsil offices.

Khalid Ayaz Khan said that a long term scheme will be prepared under which motorcycles will be given to Wildlife Inspectors and Wildlife Watchers for patrolling of their areas for checking illegal hunting. He said that officers should convene the meeting of departmental promotion committee within one month and send a report to the head office while the reward cases of employees displaying outstanding performance should be sent to head office within 15 days. He said that officers should pay maximum fields visits and give detailed report regarding visited areas after every 15 days.

Khalid Ayaz Khan said that officers should resolve the problems of employees of district and division level at local level and keep a close contact with the staff. He said that reports of illegal hunting in different areas are received and raiding teams comprising officers of headquarters are being constituted in this regard. These teams will pay surprise visit and will be authorized to take action without any
discrimination against the violators.

Moreover, reports were also taken from Deputy Directors regarding ongoing development projects under Annual Development Program throughout the province and they were directed to expedite the pace of work for timely completion of projects.

Former Honorary Game Warden Punjab Badar Munir presented new copies of hunting license to Director General Wildlife.