MANSEHRA: Dozens of endangered Cheer pheasant (Catreus wallichii) have been spotted in Kaghan valley, its historic sanctuary, after a long period.

“The wildlife department has succeeded in protecting the Cheer pheasant as this endangered member of the Phasianidae Family has been seen in parts of Kaghan valley after decades,” divisional wildlife officer Taimur Shah told Dawn here on Saturday.

He said the world had around five dozen species of pheasants and five of them, including Tragopan, Monal, Koklaas, Kalij and Cheer, were found in Pakistan.

Mr Shah said efforts were also made by the World Pheasant Association and the Capital Development Authority (Islamabad) to release the Cheer pheasants in the Margalla Hills National Park, but they won’t succeed due to predation, rehabilitation, diseases, and some other problems.

He said the wildlife department had effectively utilised its resources and controlled poaching in Kaghan valley leading to the return of Cheer pheasant to its natural habitat.

Mr Shah said the pheasant was seen in Kanshian and other parts of Balakot tehsil. He said in 2018, Cheer pheasants were found and rehabilitated in Panja Gali area of Oghi tehsil.

PROTEST: The residents took to the streets in Lassan Nawab areaon Saturday against the poor quality of the subsidised wheat flour sold in parts of the district.

Shouting slogans against millers, they marched on different roads before gathering in the central bazaar.

Protester Said Alam insisted that the millers extract fine-quality flour and other ingredients from the wheat supplied by the government at subsidised rate.

He urged the authorities to take notice of the sale of substandard flour for crackdown.

Some protesters demanded an immediate halt to the supply of subsidised wheat to millers and come up with another strategy to ensure the supply of quality flour to people at subsidised rate. They also alleged that millers in Lassan Nawab and its adjoining localities also obtained subsidised wheat from the quota of neighbouring Torghar district but sold it to the local markets.

The protesters warned that if the government didn’t address the issue, they would block main road in the area for an indefinite period.

Published in Dawn, October 31st, 2021