ISLAMABAD: In a first step towards conservation of wildlife at buffer zones along highways and motorways, the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) has signed an agreement with the Punjab Wildlife Department to curb poaching and trapping of birds and animals.
Since the vast and uninhabited area adjoining the motorways and in parts along highways do not properly fall under the jurisdiction of any particular authority, these places have become hotspot for poaching.
After the recent case of blackbuck hunting along the highway in Sindh was reported in social media, the authorities have decided to join hands to curb such illegal practices.
NHMP Inspector General Inam Ghani has taken the initiative under which the motorways police and the Punjab Wildlife Department will jointly patrol areas surrounding motorways to restrict hunters from illegal hunting.
Among various areas the Kalar Kahar tract is one of favourite spots for poachers and trappers and it has been decided that the motorway police will take stern action against the violators.
The NHMP is authorised to issue tickets to pedestrians and drivers for unlawful pick and drop on the motorways; however, maintaining checks on poaching and other such illegal practices related to environment and wildlife was not under its mandate.
It has been decided that all such violators, if caught, will be handed over to the wildlife department for completing legal formalities related to illegal hunting.
It has also been agreed by both departments that focal persons will be nominated for enhancement of interaction to ensure protection of wildlife.
Meanwhile, Mr Ghani said in a statement that protection of wildlife was a common responsibility and similar agreements will be signed with the wildlife departments of other provinces too.
He said the core objective of NHMP was to ensure road safety, prompt assistance and impartial enforcement of the law on highways and motorways. But environment and wildlife protection has been ignored in the past.
