KARACHI, March 15: From the inception of the country up to the 1970s, the wildlife here was ruthlessly destroyed and certain species of animals and birds were exterminated.

This was said by Sindh minister for forests, wildlife and environment, Hassan Ali Chaneho, while addressing the launching ceremony of a book “Pocket Guide for Khirthar National Park” by Professor Z. B. Mirza, on Friday.

The ceremony was jointly organized by Messrs Premier Kufpec Pakistan and the Sindh Wildlife Department at a local hotel.

The minister said that the species of black deer, leopard, black bear, wild goat, wild sheep and partridge had been reduced to the point of complete annihilation, and for that reason their ancestral abode Khirthar was declared a national park. He urged environmentalists to help the government maintain natural environment in the park.

Secretary forests, wildlife & environment, Shamsul Haq Memon, speaking on the occasion, said that the Kirthar National Park was a historical site where 276 species of animals and 475 kinds of plants were found, out of which 12 species had been declared almost extinct.

Conservator wildlife, Sindh, Munir Ahmad Awan and Prof Z.B. Mirza also spoke.—PPI