March 17, 2008	Monday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 8, 1429

MITHI, March 16: A walk was organised to raise awareness against chopping of trees and hunting of animals and birds in Thar here on Sunday.

The Society for Conservation and Protection of Environment (SCOPE) and Mahol Dost Forum organised the event.

A good number of people from different walks of life participated in the walk which started from the town committee office and ended at the local press club.

The participants of the walk were carrying banners and placards inscribed with words: “Be kind to animals and birds,’’ ‘‘Save trees, save nature,’’ ‘‘Stop chopping down trees,’’ ‘‘Save wildlife and save environment,’’ ‘‘Declare Karoonjhar belt a national park, stop issuing hunting permits in Thar.”

Speaking on the occasion, Tanvir Arif of SCOPE said that a number of wildlife species such as deer, peacock, hare, sandgrouse, antelope and falcon were on the verge of extinction due to hunting in Thar region.

He said that local and foreign hunters were issued hunting permits in Thar area which was absolutely unjustified and against the law.

He said it had become a tradition that local landlords and high ranking officials to send deer and peacock as gifts to bureaucracy for gaining their favour.

While on the other hand royal guests from gulf countries arrive here with heavy vehicles, guns and falcons, for hunting and trapping houbara bustard and other rare game birds and animals, he added.

He feared that such practice would wipe out the wildlife, besides, disturbing the privacy and movement of local people.

Mr Arif said the people of Thar should stand up and wage struggle to save the trees, grazing pastures, water reservoirs, game birds and animals to avert the imbalance to biodiversity of the area.

At the end of the walk, children costumed as deer, peacock and holding branches of trees in their hands, staged a colourful tableau.