LAHORE: In view of excessive hunting of black partridges by permit-holders, the Punjab Wildlife Department has changed the rules of the game.

From now on, only three permits will be allowed to a hunter for a season. Since each permit allows hunting of six partridges only, a hunter cannot shoot more than 18 birds.

Each hunter has to mention the place and time of hunting in advance, says Mudassar Hassan, Deputy Director Publicity, wildlife department.

Mr Hassan denied allegations of illegal hunting of partridges but admitted that there were reports of excessive hunting of partridges by permit-holders.

“That is why the department has taken the decision to issue only three permits for a season,” he told Dawn.

Wildlife lovers seek complete ban to save bird

The partridge hunting season starts from Dec 1 and ends on Jan 30.

Earlier there was no restrictions on the hunters as they could hunt partridges on every Sunday during the two months.Some hunters told Dawn black partridge is almost extinct in South Punjab while its population has drastically shrunk in areas like Chakwal, Jhelum and Attock districts.

Wildlife lovers have meanwhile urged the Punjab government to completely ban the hunting of black and grey partridge, CC partridge and Chakkor, which also belong to the partridge family.

Published in Dawn, January 9th, 2024