In the absence of any government initiative to do the job, one man has taken it upon himself to save and protect what is left of the animal life in the sands of Sindh
LIKE any other area of human activity, in the field of wildlife too this country has suffered immeasurably. The major factors, in the forests of Sindh are firstly deforestation of the riverine belt which was the natural habitat of most of the animals, by the timber mafia and the local gabbers. Then there is poaching and indiscriminate hunting in the deserts and hilly country side by the influential class for the sake of game and self aggrandizement. Obviously they have done it without having realized the far reaching detrimental impact of their actions on the environment of the country.
Even sanctuaries like Khirthar National Park that was developed by the government to preserve the most unique and almost extinct breed of wild goats like Ibex have not been spared. These sanctuaries have been subjected to devastation off and on by the predators with impunity. The Department of Wildlife, whose primary responsibility is to ensure safety of animals is itself not immune from collaboration and the resultant ravages.
But notwithstanding these adverse circumstances, individual initiative to conserve wildlife out of self-interest and at personal expense cannot be rule out.
At the short distance of about 40 kilometres from Sukkur, in the deserts of Saleh Pat, such an oasis for preservation of wildlife has been created by Syed Ashiq Hussein Shah, a scion of Rizvi Syeds and a passionate lover of animals and birds.
The families of Rizvi Syeds have been in this country side from the days of Aurangzeb. In the year 1710, the Mughal governor of Multan had bestowed a jagir, comprising of 400,000 acres (mostly desert) to this family in return for their services; mainly in maintaining law and order in that area. This area was then known as Bakaar Estate.
Years went by and the subcontinent was taken over by the British, but the jagir remained in the hands of the family. However, it came to an end after abolition of the system of primogeniture, the land was divided and today it comprises of 24 villages and Saleh Pat is the most advanced settlement as it is connected by roads with the twin township of Sukkur and Rohri.
After the construction of Lloyd Barrage at Sukkur in 1928, fortunes of this area changed over night. But still on the eastern side of Nara Canal the lands remained mostly uncultivated and are dependent on the seasonal rains. Now this area represents both the cultures. On one side we glimpse lush green fields of seasonal crops and the date palms, laden with fruit spreading aroma in the air. On the other side a serene beauty of desert vastness bounded by the sand dunes and wild flora and fauna, stir the heart. Once this area used to be the habitat of wild life, now extinct due to the impact of civilization. Nevertheless, one man hasn’t given up the fight. And it is his individual effort that has resulted in the establishment of a wild life sanctuary, in the desert. And that person is Syed Ashiq Hussein Shah.
The total area of sanctuary is around one hundred acres. In order to save the animals from the hands of poachers and pleasure seeking killers, a mud wall has been erected encircling the entire habitat. The landscape has been left in its natural shape with scattered wild bushes and trees. The animals that are conserved there comprise of deer, antelope, white antelope (Nel Gae), black deer, Ibex, wild goats etc. These wild animals freely roam in herds, without any hindrance. One can in particular enjoy watching this natural world from an ideally located bungalow, which is constructed on a hill top. From here the entire sanctuary is in full view. The view is especially breathtaking at the time of feeding, when herds come out of their hideouts. These breeds of animals are now multiplying very fast as the environment which is provided to them is most conducive to the younger ones to grow.
Moreover, in addition to this variety of wild animals, different types of birds have also made this artificially created sanctuary their permanent abode as they feel themselves protected from the ravages and cruel hand of mankind. The most visible are the gorgeous peacocks of different variety and colour, which I, in my years of travel, haven’t observed anywhere earlier.
One gets a lot of thrill by watching these wild peafowls dance spectacularly, in ecstasy without any human interference. In the vastness and the silence of the desert, with the freshness of unadulterated air and the fragrance of trees and plants, wildlife roaming around and the most little of hum of living organisms, one can experience the infinity of nature.
It is a time tested reality that where institutions have either not evolved or if developed, have failed to preserve their cultural values due to lack of required support, individual initiative and an effort to fulfil the required gap that remains in the handiwork of nature. Under the prevalent circumstances the responsibility of preserving wildlife in our country, apparently, now rests with such dedicated individuals as the responsible institutions have woefully failed to come up to the expectations.
These individual efforts indubitably need appropriate admiration and encouragement so that whatever meagre number of wildlife is still left untouched from the clutches of barbaric and mindless acts of huntsmen, can be preserved.
In the absence of any government initiative to do the job, one man has taken it upon himself to save and protect what is left of the animal life in the sands of Sindh
