KARACHI, April 15: Nature-lovers, conservationists and stake-holders took strong exception to the fact that a large variety of birds, animal and mammal species, in game reserves, have either vanished or are in dwindling numbers owing to absolute disregard for the asset.

They were speaking at a session on “conservation and preservation of wildlife in Sindh”, organized by the IUCN here on Tuesday.

Secretary of forests and wildlife, Shamsul Haq Memon, other officials and representatives of NGOs attended the workshop and shared their views. Ali Raza Rizvi, head of IUCN-Sindh, conducted the workshop.

While absolute disregard for law was identified as major contributory factor for the scenario, natural phenomenon, such as drought, coupled with destruction of habitat for cultivation and agriculture purpose, were also identified as causes leading to the situation.

Projects initiated under the pretext of exploration and development were also cited as causes leading to extinction of important natural heritage. The participants, however, said no attempt could be successful enough to prevent the ongoing work.

They sought a realistic approach to combat further deterioration and stressed the need to promote “Wildlife Reserve Farms” in private sector and to directly involve concerned communities in the scheme.

These farms be promoted as eco-tourism centres and extended industry status by encouraging locals to make necessary investment in terms of finances as well as human skill.

Dr. Abrar Husain Mirza, former Conservator of Wildlife in Sindh, said the declining number of game birds and animals suggest that instead of opening and closing hunting areas, these shall be strictly regulated by carrying out census of endemic game-birds and animals after the breeding season is over. The number of birds to be hunted on each hunting permit and the span of hunting season shall have to be drastically reduced, he asserted.

He was of the view that the hunting season be restricted to six weeks only, and hunting permits to VIPs be given only after chalking out a proper strategy.

With regard to submission by Abrar Mirza about “captive breeding scheme”, the participants suggested that prior to any concrete necessary initiative systematic, studies be conducted and feasibility of the same be given due consideration.

Need to update Sindh Wildlife Legislation, formulated in 1973 was also suggested by Abrar Husain Mirza.

A. K. Lodhi reminded that hunters must not be assumed as individuals against wildlife, but that a considerable majority of them include those who are fully conscious of related ethics.

He also took strong exception to the inability of the government to ensure strict implementation of law, in context of hunting permits.

Zulfiqar Shah Jamote regretted the rampant trend to criticize the landlords without acknowledging their contribution towards conservation and preservation in the province.

Capacity-building of the existing staff of the Sindh Wildlife Department, involvement of local communities and NGOs and proper training programme at graduate and post-graduate level were also recommended.

W. A. Kirmani, a former forest secretary for Sindh and architect of Sindh Wildlife Legislation in his concluding remarks stressed the need to sensitize people that hunting done with impunity leads to devastation.

Seeking across the board implementation of law, he said hunting had been in practice for centuries, but the hunters were generally fully conscious that this may not be done at the cost of the very existence of any specie.

Dr. Gul Najam Jamy, Dr. Ejaz Ahmed, Deputy Director General of WWF-Pakistan, Rahat Jabeen, and others attended the programme.—APP/PPI