Punjab gears up for crackdown on wildlife abuse, illegal pets

The Punjab government is planning to establish special courts to tackle wildlife violations, it emerged Wednesday.

As per the details, the Punjab Assembly’s Standing Committee on Wildlife has announced the setting up of special courts to take severe action against those committing violence against wildlife.

The move has come after amendments were made to the Wildlife Act of 1974, keeping in view the reports of brutal killings of endangered species such as striped hyenas, grey wolves and leopards in Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur.

Earlier, the Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department had also proposed changes to wildlife law to regulate the rising trend of keeping large cats, including lions, tigers and cheetahs, as pets.

“The Punjab Assembly’s Standing Committee approved amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act,” Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said in a post on X. She added that the government had decided to establish special courts to address crimes against wildlife, which includes both abuse and illegal possession.

“Violators of wildlife protection laws will face fines of up to Rs 500,000,” the post said.

In the same post, the minister said that a complaint line, 1107, had also been established to report problems pertaining to wildlife. 

Additionally, in the meeting of the Punjab Assembly’s standing committee, a new board called “Protected Areas and Wildlife Management” was approved to oversee these efforts. Meanwhile, special centres will also be set up for the breeding, treatment and protection of wildlife.

“A hospital costing Rs1.47 billion will also be built for the treatment of wild animals,” reports quoted the minister as telling the committee earlier.

“A comprehensive project has been launched in Punjab at Rs 1.73 billion for the protection of wildlife and the promotion of global tourism,” she said, adding that Achhali, Bansara Gali and Changa Manga forests will be used to promote tourism.

It merits a mention that the amendments to the act have been approved after 14 years. Last changes to the act were made in 2007. The Punjab government has also announced the Chief Minister Wildlife Rescue Force for protecting wildlife.

With this force, the government is aiming to address a longstanding gap in wildlife conservation in the province.