KARACHI, Jan 8: The federal government has sought an explanation from the Sindh Wildlife department over the issuance of falcon hunting permits to dignitaries from Gulf states in violation of a directive from the Centre.

Sources told Dawn on Monday that the Sindh Wildlife Department was trying to sweep the affair under the carpet by not responding to the federal government’s queries.

The sources said the federal government’s National Council for the Conservation of Wildlife (NCCW) had asked all provincial governments last year not to issue any falcon hunting permits.

The secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES) had informed the NCCW that as the number of falcons had fallen worldwide, no trapping or export of the birds be allowed. The other provinces complied with the NCCW directive, but the Sindh government ignored it, issuing a large number of permits.

Responding to Dawn’s queries from Islamabad, NCCW’s Umeed Khalid said the Sindh government’s action would send wrong signals about the federal government’s ability to get its directives implemented.

He said the NCCW had communicated to the provincial authorities the concerns of the CITES about the depleting falcon population. He was critical of the Sindh administration for flouting the directive.

Sindh Wildlife Conservator Ghulam Rasool Channa said: “A few falcon trapping permits have been issued, but I do not know the exact number. I was on leave for two days and would give more details on Thursday.”