MITHI, Dec 19: Speakers at a seminar held here the other day expressed concern over alarming depletion in population of wild species in Thar. They demanded that relevant authorities should give the status of sanctuary and national park to the Karoonjhar mountains.

They were speaking at a seminar on “Protection of wildlife” at the Karoonjhar hall.

Former district naib nazim and president of the Marooara Coordination Council, Ram Singh Sodho, said Thar was rich in rare wild species as deer, peacock, antelope, rabbit, partridge and sand grouse.

He said that at present rare species were on the verge of extinction owing to their ruthless hunting and trapping.

He demanded that a complete ban be imposed on hunting and poaching in Thar and the Karoonjhar mountains be declared a national park to ensure that wildlife was saved from a complete wipe out.

Kirshan Kolhi, general secretary of the Kolhi Association, said that members of the Kolhi community were being used as hunters by influential locals.

“Thar receives scanty and erratic rainfall and it is exposed to droughts usually because its trees are chopped hence measures be taken to protect trees which are source of livelihood for poor locals” Mr Kolhi said.

Dr Jhaman Jain said when there was Panchayat system active in Thar no one could dare to chop a tree or to trap a wild animal or bird because of fear of fine or other punishment by Panchayat.

Educationalist Ramzan Junejo said awareness be created among locals to enable them to protect pastures and rare species in their habitat. A procession was also taken out from the Karoonjhar hall to the press club.