ISLAMABAD: As many as 15 people were arrested for hunting wild boars in the Margalla Hills on Sunday.

Sources said Rangers deployed near Islamabad Zoo helped the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad’s (MCI) Wildlife Wing arrest 15 hunters and take possession of their nine dogs.

The hunters and their dogs were brought to the Kohsar police station where MCI officers imposed a fine of Rs30,000 on them. They were freed after they had paid the fine.

“Rangers and the police helped us nab these hunters in the early hours of Sunday,” said Assistant Director Wildlife Mehmood Alam.

He said that according to the law, there is no justification for further proceedings against arrested hunters once their fines are paid.

He said the hunters belonged to Paryal Village, Rawalpindi.

The hunting of wild boar is banned in the capital city but many hunters from Rawalpindi and adjoining areas capture the boars with the help of dogs and then use them for gambling in rural areas.

Officials of the Wildlife Department said hunters take the wild boars to the rural areas and tie them with rope. Dogs are then let loose to gamble on.

“People from Chakwal can often be found hunting wild boar in Islamabad,” an official said.

He said that since the Wildlife Directorate is understaffed, most cases of hunting go unnoticed.

“Hunting is also detrimental for other wildlife, which leave the forest area as soon as hunting dogs are let loose,” he said.

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2018