PESHAWAR, Jan 31: Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani has directed the provincial wildlife department to establish a Crane Conservation Centre of international standard beside Kurram River near Indus Highway for serving the objectives of public awareness , conservation education, research on them and their propagation.

The directives were issued during a meeting held between Chief Minister Akram Durrani and Chief Conservator Wildlife Dr Mumtaz Malik.

According to minutes of the meeting, the chief minister also directed him to organize an annual Koonj Mela at an appropriate place in Bannu or Lakki Marwat to promote crane conservation through dissemination of information about cranes breeding, sport hunting and sharing knowledge on training of cranes.

The chief minister also directed transfer of the management of Kund Park in Swabi district and Aza Khel Park in Nowshera district to the wildlife department. He sought early submission of summaries in this regard for approval.

The chief minister also directed establishment of a pheasant house in Bannu township area where all kinds of the bird should be displayed for recreation, education on their conservation, awareness, breeding and research.

The township authorities will transfer land to the wildlife department for this purpose.

He said the department should extend its programme of propagation of partridges to the southern districts before the onset of their breeding season in spring.

The meeting also decided to extend programme of the wildlife department about promotional distribution of pheasants and other wildlife species among farmers in the southern districts.-APP