ISLAMABAD, Sept 16: The Sub-Committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Environment on Monday called upon the government to initiate urgent measures for protecting the precious wildlife particularly the migratory wildlife and to take tangible steps for preventing the habitat destruction throughout the country.

The senate body, which met at the Parliament House with Senator Bibi Yasmeen Shah in the chair, expressed its surprise that there was no separate wildlife department in Balochistan and suggested that a department may be set up there.

It also recommended special allocation in the PSDP for setting up special wildlife fund for Balochistan.

The meeting also recommended that special efforts may be made for protecting the endangered species and a complete ban on their hunting.

The meeting also called for improving the inter-provincial coordination for achieving better results and to enhance public awareness of the utility and importance of wildlife.

On the suggestion of Senator Sardar Mohammad Jamal Khan Leghari, the committee directed the government to reactivate the National Council for Conservation of Wildife as it has a vital role in protecting the wild life.

The meeting also underscored the need of effective monitoring of the use of modern technology for ensuring a better environment and natural habitat for the wildlife.

The committee was informed about the functions and performance of NCW it was informed that NCCW formulates polities for conservation of wildlife and coordinate with the provinces for implementation of these policies in addition to keeping a liaison with the international agencies and civil society organisations for conservation of wildlife.

The Committee was briefed in detail about the wildlife species of Pakistan, which were facing extinction. It was informed that steps were being taken to protect the endangered species. It was stated that national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, game reserves, etc., have been established to protect and conserve the wildlife.

The committee was also apprised of the various projects launched to conserve the wildlife both at the provincial and federal level.

The committee assured its support to the wildlife departments in removing the bottlenecks in the way of smooth implementation of policies aimed at protecting and conserving the wildlife.

The meeting was attended, among others, by Senators Shuja-ul-Malik, Sardar Moahmmad Jamal Khan Legari and Mir Mohabar Khan Marri besides the Secretary Environment and senior officials of the Ministry were present on the occasion.