LAHORE: World Wide Fund for Nature Pakistan (WWF-Pakistan) board members in a meeting held at Lal Suhanra National Park emphasised the need for initiating mass awareness campaigns on illegal wildlife trade, according to a press release issued here on Sunday.

Each year, hundreds of freshwater turtles, migratory birds and endangered animals were caught, smuggled, killed or butchered by illegal wildlife traffickers in the country. The board also highlighted the need for the government to implement wildlife laws in true spirit and award exemplary punishment to wildlife traffickers.

Among a number of decisions taken, the board approved implementation of the Combating Illegal Wildlife Trade by Establishing a National Monitoring Network that Benefits Local Communities and Environment project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development. The decision comes amid increasing reports of illegally trafficked birds and turtles -- at least 12 laggar falcons were rescued by the Sindh wildlife department during a raid in Jamshoro district last week as well as 62 turtles and tortoises near Korangi Industrial Area, Karachi.

Speaking on the occasion, WWF-Pakistan Director General Hammad Naqi Khan said illegal wildlife trade had become the fourth most profitable business in the world. Pakistan should have strict vigilance and surveillance mechanisms in place at various exit and entrance points bordering neighbour countries and international airports.

He also said WWF-Pakistan had rescued and safely released hundreds of freshwater and marine turtles, dolphins, whale sharks, whales and other entangled or confiscated animals into their natural habitat.

WWF-Pakistan President Ahmer Bilal Soofi said the rate of loss of natural habitats for wildlife was escalating. Concerted strategies needed to be developed to prevent animal loss and improve the conservation status of key species, including those that were vulnerable to pollution, illegal trade, habitat loss and climate change impacts.

The board appreciated initiatives taken by the Houbara Foundation International to set up a deer and houbara breeding centre at the Lal Suharna National Park.

They also strongly recommended the government implement Ramsar Advisory Commission’s recommendations to make Patisar Lake of Lal Sohanra functional as part of the floodplain management plan strategy.

They were extremely happy to see the success of the Better Ginning Practices project, funded by the European Union under the SWITCH-Asia programme, after meeting local ginners participating in this programme. The cotton project in Pakistan, which began in 2005, has led to environmental benefits and brought socio-economic prosperity to cotton growing communities.

Published in Dawn, October 19th , 2015

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