As the new chief of WWF-Pakistan, how what plans do you have to tackle illegal wildlife trade in the country?

Well, the WWF-Pakistan is not a law enforcement agency; however we support the regulatory authorities concerned in implementing international and national legislations to combat wildlife trafficking. WWF-Pakistan along with other conservation organisations will keep on raising this issue at various forums to put pressure on the government and civil society for taking strict actions for controlling wildlife trade.

WWF-Pakistan will keep on supporting the government’s efforts to cooperate regionally to combat wildlife crimes at international forums such as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC); INTERPOL (Wildlife Crime Working Group: contraction of International Police), South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN); and South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP).

Hammad Naqi Khan, the new director general of the World Wide Fund for Nature–Pakistan talks to Rina Saeed Khan about the illegal wildlife trade, its impact at the community level, and the regulations needed to combat it

I started my new role as the CEO of WWF-Pakistan two months ago. I strongly feel that in a country where nature conservation is not a priority, wildlife trafficking and habitat destruction are the most critical threats to vanishing wildlife. With the support of my Board, I took a decision to file a petition in the High Court for strong legal action. This stance was not taken earlier and is now being seriously pursued.

What species are the most affected by wildlife trade in Pakistan and why?

Most wildlife species that are traded are being used in traditional medicines, as food, or sold as pets in international markets. The species that are affected by this illegal trade in Pakistan are freshwater turtles. Soft shell turtles are collected for their body parts and meat, which are used in traditional medicines and as a delicacy.

Recent trends show that land tortoises and hard shell species of freshwater turtles are illegally traded as pets in international markets. According to a report published by TRAFFIC International on Seizures of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles in Thailand 2008 – 2013 by Chng, S.C.I in 2014; the most traded species of chelonians that are also found in Pakistan are Indian Star Tortoise (Geochelone elegans); and black spotted turtle (Geoclemys hamiltonii). The other species that are in the trade from Pakistan include Pangolin (hunted for its scales, which are used in traditional medicines), black scorpion; leopard gecko; falcons; parrots, and various species of snakes. Some plants of high economic value, such as gucci and medicinal plants such Saussurea lapa, are also traded from Pakistan.

How lucrative is the trade? How is it impacting biodiversity in the country?

Wildlife trade is a highly lucrative business. It is also considered one of the largest black markets of the world. The market value of species varies greatly depending on its type and demand in the market. A recent survey by TRAFFIC International (a wildlife trade monitoring network) for Black Spotted Turtle (Geoclemys hamiltonii) in Malaysia revealed that one hatchling of this species can cost up to US $243. Global law enforcement agencies have revealed that illegal wildlife trade is around $15-20 billion annually.

Every species plays an important role in maintaining the ecosystem and is an integral part of the food web.

Freshwater turtles, for example, are a keystone species, regulating the population of their prey being top predators. If any of the species is removed from its natural habitat on a large scale, the balance in the ecosystem is disturbed leading to its alteration while affecting all other inhabitants.

It is not only removing species from the wild, but also putting community based conservation programmes at risk.

What are the destination points? Are the body parts used in traditional medicine?

China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand, and other East Asian countries are the main consumers of most of the illegally traded wildlife species. The body parts are used in traditional Chinese medicines.

If it is completely illegal, why isn’t the government doing more to stop it? Are there any success stories?

Federal and provincial governments are taking steps to combat it, but this issue definitely requires much more effort. The federal government, to give effect to CITES legislations (which Pakistan is a signatory to since 1976), passed a legislation called the “Pakistan Trade Control of Wild Fauna and Flora Act, 2012”.

The repatriation of 200 black spotted turtles from China in August 2014 is another laudable action that Pakistan’s government has taken in order to discourage wildlife trade. These turtles were smuggled from Sindh to China via Sost, a town in Gilgit-Baltistan located on the Pak-China border.

Is the problem getting worse?

WWF-Pakistan explored the turtle trade covering all possible habitats of freshwater turtles in Pakistan in 2007 and 2008. These investigative studies provided basis for amendments in provincial wildlife legislation and as a result, freshwater turtles were included in the list of protected species in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh.

Concerned authorities at exit ports, particularly the customs staff, greatly lack in capacity and expertise to fight wildlife trade. WWF-Pakistan is making its efforts to build the capacity of the staff of wildlife and customs departments in identifying species and their products, understanding latest trends in wildlife trade and modern means of animal transportation in order to take effective actions against the culprits. Capacity building workshops have been organised in major cities of Pakistan including Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad for wildlife and customs departments.

WWF-Pakistan facilitates wildlife authorities in conserving threatened species through improved management of protected areas and tackling this issue at the grass root level by involving community stakeholders. The local communities are provided with alternative options of livelihoods, thus reducing the harvesting pressure on native wild flora and fauna through its projects and programmes.

Wildlife traders and smugglers are more organised now and it is adding to the severity of the issue. Web-based wildlife trade has started firming its roots in the country as these dealers are now using modern technology and the internet for business purposes.

Are private zoos allowed under the law? Are they being monitored and what role is WWF-Pakistan playing to protect species like lions and tigers kept in these zoos?

Under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Management) Act, 1975, there is no provision for private zoos; however, the revised act (currently in provincial assembly for approval) has a provision for it. The existing law however allows private pheasantries.

In the Sindh Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1972, the law gives permission for private zoo by the name of ‘mini zoo’ and ‘private game farm’. The license remains valid for one year and before renewal of the license, monitoring of the private facility is due.

The Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department registers ‘private wildlife breeding farms’ under Private Wildlife Breeding Farm Rules, 2008 which have been developed under the Punjab Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Management) Act, 1974. These facilities are inspected on three-monthly The revised legislation in Balochistan now allows the establishment of private zoo; the rules of which are under process.

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, December 7th, 2014