Gatwala wildlife breeding area in disarray
Spreading over more than 130 acres, the area was raised some 20 years back to breed animals, reptiles and birds of different species.
The construction of the breeding area has almost completed its life and officials concerned are well aware of the state of affairs, but nothing is being done to save it from further collapse.
The breading institution has 18 cages but the number of birds, animals and reptiles is limited. At least nine cages with cemented ponds are for crocodiles, three for blue bulls and four for peacocks. Only cages of peacocks have birds and remaining pens are empty.
As one enters the institution, one will find empty cages of birds on right side of the area. The only attraction is cages of peacocks that give a striking look as they are full of different colours of peacocks.
Only a couple of years back there was a large herd of blue bulls which has reduced to a sole blue bull as most of them had become the victim of a disease. Two cages have 10 hog deer and 11 black bucks. The institution has an enclosure for a demoiselle crane, but it is empty.
The government’s grant of Rs500,000 per annum to feed the living creatures is too meager to maintain the ration scale of the birds, reptiles and animals.
The shoddy condition of cages had allowed two stray dogs to kill two deer in their cages a few months back. Officials came to know about the incident the next day. Instead of improving the condition of cages, the officials concerned fined Rs50,000 to the lower staff on duty.
Similarly, a crocodile had managed to escape from the breeding area and entered into a nearby canal. An area man informed the officials that a crocodile was basking on the bank of the canal. The information panicked the staff members and they rushed to the spot to net the ‘escapee’. The employees had arranged a net and the beast was caught from the canal after hours-long struggle.
Recreational facilities like benches, drinking water and edibles are not available here. Only three gardeners are taking care of a vast area which presents an ugly look and the people hesitate to come close to cages of animals.
Aamir Afridi, a visitor to the breeding area, said it’s pathetic that the government could not manage the affairs of this sole breeding area of the province.
The government, he said, could earn handsome foreign exchange through breeding of different species of birds and animals. He said that locals could also be approached for selling of birds and animals.
He suggested that the government should sought quotations from private firms to give a facelift to the area that could attract visitors in large numbers.
The breeding area staff was expecting solution to their problems during a visit of Chief Secretary Javed Mehmood, who remained in Faisalabad for six days from Nov 25-29. But, the chief secretary had done nothing for the staff except that he asked incumbent officers to prepare a report for the rehabilitation of the breeding area.
The staff said that most of the cages were in dilapidated condition prior to the visit of the CS and the officials managed to beautify the area.
Institution deputy director Abdul Jabbar said the breeding area had almost completed its life and the government had sought a report for its rehabilitation.
In pursuant of directions, he said the scheme was being prepared for overhauling of this old breeding area and the construction work would be started immediately after approval by the government, he said.