MUZAFFARGARH: Reckless and unchecked illegal hunting of migratory birds along the upstream and downstream area of the Taunsa Barrage (River Indus) by influential hunters and landlords, in connivance with officials, is resulting in a gradual decrease in the population of these fouls on their annual trip to the warmer climes from Siberia, Russia.

According to local sources, large swathes of land along the River Indus upstream and downstream the Taunsa Barrage has become a paradise for illegal hunters, under the patronage of local landlords, politicians and land grabbers, while the wildlife department had failed to keep an effective check on these activities because of lack of resources and staff.

A non-profit organisation, Sindho Bachao Tarla, had been raising the issue at various fora, deploring the decline in number of migratory birds at the Taunsa Barrage.

The sources say that the influential politicians and feudal lords had been patronising illegal hunting of migratory birds, including ducks (black drake), quail and cranes etc in their areas of influence, while some irrigation officials are also involved in these activities in the barrage area

They say these hunters flout the game rules blatantly, but the wildlife officials seem helpless in monitoring and checking the illegal practices because of lack of human and material resources. The sources say that the meat of these illegally hunted birds is also sold at high prices in the markets of Kot Addu and Multan.

Ahmad Bux, a local, claimed the upstream and downstream areas along the River Indus had been divided among the local landlords for hunting birds and catching fish.

He said some of the areas were considered hunting domain of a politically influential family, and some others of an MPA, who also ‘rule’ over Leshariwala jungle, including the Indus pond areas, which he had retrieved from the former.

According to the sources, a couple of years back the then irrigation secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, who is now South Punjab chief secretary, had been informed about these “occupied” areas during his visits to the Taunsa Barrage, by the irrigation officials. He had assured them that action would be taken to retrieve these areas.

Locals say that a large number of hunters reach the Taunsa Barrage very early in the morning to shoot and catch the migratory birds. Some hunting parties prefer the evening time for hunting and cook the catch on the spot.

District Wildlife Officer Ms Sidra said her department had allowed hunting of birds twice a week -- on Saturdays and Sundays. She said the wildlife department had issued more than 200 shooting licences and each licence holder paid Rs2,000 annually for catching maximum eight ducks in the presence of wildlife officials.

“Those exceeding the bird limit, had to pay fine on the spot,” she said, adding that as per rules the wildlife department officials could not register a case against any hunter.

A source in the department, however, said it was impossible for the officials to monitor such a large area under their jurisdiction and keep an effective check on illegal hunting because of shortage of staff and vehicles.

On the other hand, fisheries department officials also claimed that some of the areas had been officially given to contractors and fishermen for catching fish.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2021