BALOCHISTAN’s forest and wildlife department has a century-old history, but it is sad to note that rare species of animals are facing extinction. The department is not even capable of stopping deforestation and hunting. Instead of protecting our wildlife, we are bent on appeasing the Arab sheikhs through ‘hunting diplomacy’.

Biodiversity is the beauty of Balochistan. International wildlife protection organisations like World Wildlife Fund have raised concerns about endangered animals like Balochistan’s black bear, pygmas jerboa (tiny mouse), brown rabbits, markhor, tortoise, migratory birds, including zaarhi, zark (chakor), sisi, etc.

Marine animals like dolphins, whales, marine turtles and leather back turtles are facing extinction too.

The forest and wildlife department works on a specific set of rules and regulations. These laws need to be replaced by more stringent laws. Strong measures should be taken against continuous hunting and deforestation. Some funds from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor should be earmarked for the protection of wildlife.

Gulzaib Khan Tareen

Pishin, Balochistan

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2017