BAHAWALPUR: The wildlife department has embarked on a project in Cholistan aimed at preserving and breeding blackbucks facing a threat of extinction, particularly in this desert region of south Punjab.

The vast desert was once brimming with blackbucks, but in recent years, unchecked poaching and hunting have increased its chances of extinction, which has alerted wildlife and animal lovers.

In this connection, the wildlife department along with the army and Rangers was working to establish a blackbuck enclosure, to be known as “pre-release pen”, over three acres in Bher Budh, about 30 kilometres from Fort Abbas in the desert touching the boundaries of Bahawalnagar district. This was disclosed by Wildlife Deputy Director Rai Zahid Ali here on Monday.

Talking to Dawn, Mr Ali explained it will be a joint venture of the wildlife department, army and Desert Rangers. Initially, 14 blackbucks would be released in the pen by the first week of next month.

The proposed pen would be developed as a natural habitat for the breeding and preservation of the blackbuck where artificial re-seeding of natural grass to serve as a self-grazing facility with three water ponds would also be conducted.

The security institutions would provide foolproof security and establish a monitoring system for the well-being and promotion of the antelope species in the desert and protect animals from illegal hunters.

Last year, according to Ali, the department had also conducted a successful experiment of setting up a breeding centre for blackbucks over 12 acres in the desert near Khairpur Tamewali, about 45km from here on Bahawalnagar road. He claimed that presently there were 14 blackbucks there after 11 were released. Those that are left would be shifted to the Bher Budh enclosure for further breeding, he added.

Punjab Wildlife Minister Samsam Bokhari during his recent visit to Cholistan was also briefed about the army’s efforts for the preservation and promotion of wildlife in the desert.

He was informed that the population of Chinkara deer and Blue Bull (Nilgai) in Cholistan during the past one year had tripled and quadrupled, respectively.

BVH-2: The outpatient departments (OPDs) of the Bahawal Victoria Hospital-2 (BVH-2) re-opened for the general public on Tuesday after over five months closure due to Covid-19 pandemic.

The OPDs as well as inpatient departments and wards wereclosed after the outbreak of coronavirus in March.

After a decline in Covid-19 cases for the last over 15 days, there has been a persistent public demand to re-open hospital’s departments and consequently, the issue was referred to the Punjab Health Department for resumption of the work.

Divisional Commissioner Asif Iqbal Chaudhry with hospital CEO Prof Dr Mukhtar Husain opened the OPD for the time being to facilitate the visiting general patients of the rural areas of the district and adjoining districts of Lodhran and Bahawalnagar.

WEDDING: Channigoth police unearthed an underage marriage at village Ram Kali near Uch Sharif and arrested the groom while his mother-in-law fled.

The video of the wedding went viral on social media, which prompted police to take action.

According to police, widow Shehnaz Bibi arranged the marriage of her 10-year-old daughter Amna Bibi with her cousin Tariq, 40, against money.

The Channigoth police raided the residence of Shehnaz Bibi and managed to arrest both groom and bridegroom while Shehnaz fled.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2020