In a significant move to combat wildlife crimes, the Punjab government has announced the establishment of special courts to address offenses related to animal cruelty, poaching, and other wildlife-related crimes. These courts will focus on ensuring strict enforcement of the newly amended Wildlife Protection Act, with fines of up to 5 million rupees for violators.
During a meeting on Tuesday, the Punjab Assembly’s Standing Committee in Lahore, chaired by Minister for Wildlife Maryam Aurangzeb, approved the long-awaited amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act. These changes, marking the first revision in 14 years, aim to modernize wildlife protection and establish breeding systems aligned with international standards.
The amendments will introduce tougher measures for those involved in animal cruelty, granting legal protection to wildlife habitats and establishing a board to oversee the management of protected areas. The Minister for Wildlife will serve as the chairperson of this new governing body.
Maryam Aurangzeb emphasized that the updated law would also pave the way for specialized centers focused on the protection, breeding, and treatment of wildlife. To enhance monitoring, advanced technologies, including drones, will be deployed to safeguard animals, while comprehensive surveys of wildlife and their habitats will be conducted. A new helpline, 1107, has also been introduced for wildlife-related complaints.
In a bid to further promote conservation, the provincial government has launched a 1.73 billion rupee initiative for wildlife protection and global tourism development. This initiative includes projects such as the 7D Wildlife Cinema, a moving theater, and various tourism-based activities.
Moreover, a wildlife hospital will be constructed with an investment of 1.47 billion rupees, and an internship program worth 60 million rupees will be introduced for youth in the wildlife sector. An educational and exhibition center in Lahore is also underway, with an investment of 800 million rupees. Other notable projects in the pipeline include a 360-degree virtual zoo, digital wildlife maps, and informative wildlife publications.
As part of the ongoing reforms, the Punjab Wildlife Management Board has been reconstituted under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister. Maryam Nawaz Sharif has been appointed as the chairman of the board, with senior minister Maryam Aurangzeb serving as vice-chairman. The board also includes 19 members, both official and non-official, with representatives from various conservation organizations, including IUCN, WWF, and the Hubara Foundation.
The Punjab Wildlife Management Board will play a central role in making decisions regarding the conservation, protection, and management of wildlife in the province, marking a significant step towards ensuring a more sustainable and protected environment for Pakistan’s wildlife.
