LAHORE: The Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department will establish ‘wildlife rescue centres’ across the province, initially setting up these facilities at Rawalpindi, Lahore and Khanewal.

Department’s Director General Mudassar Riaz Malik told Dawn on Monday these facilities would be called ‘Chief Minister’s Wildlife Rescue Centres’.

The DG said the proposed project would be presented to wildlife secretary who will provide guidance on various aspects before it is finalised.

He said in a recent meeting a framework had been laid down to proceed with the project.

He said the Punjab Information and Technology Board (PITB) will develop a helpline and a portal, where any information regarding the wild animals could be reported.

According to officials, wild animals, including Nil Gaie, Samber deer, Uryal and different birds, are found in different areas of Punjab.

They say many wild animals enter Pakistani territory after crossing the border through rivers in areas such as Sailkot, RahimYar Khan, Narowal, Sheikhupura and Kala Khataaie, regretting that most of them are killed or hurt by locals.

Such animals need immediate rescue and care from the wildlife department, they say, recommending establishment of the proposed rescue centres near these border areas.

They cite cases where leopards entering Pakistani territory were timely rescued by wildlife staff as villagers were going to kill these beasts.

The officials says that because of development of housing societies at places away of from the cities, presence of reptiles like snakes and monitor lizards is also reported there. Therefore, they says, the establishment of wildlife rescue centres will be of great significance.

Wildlife experts believe that to successfully run the proposed rescue centres, the wildlife department will also require trained staff and equipment.

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2024