The Punjab Wildlife Department has stepped up operations in the district to curb illegal hunting, with a particular focus on the prohibited night-time hunting of partridges, officials confirmed.
The enforcement drive was overseen by Assistant Chief Wildlife Ranger Attock, Shahzaib Khurshid, who led teams on night patrols across areas known for illegal hunting activity. During one recent operation, authorities arrested a man for hunting partridges at night and seized a 12-bore shotgun used in the offence.
The accused was fined Rs. 110,000, with an additional Rs. 40,000 penalty imposed for the illegal possession of a brown partridge, bringing the total recovery to Rs. 150,000 as compensation.
Officials emphasized that hunting partridges at night, when the birds are resting in their natural habitat, is a serious violation of wildlife laws and poses a significant threat to declining bird populations.
The department urged citizens to report illegal hunting activities through the Wildlife Helpline 1107, assuring that informants providing verified information will receive a Rs 10,000 reward while their identities remain confidential.
In addition to enforcement operations, wildlife teams carried out extensive field inspections, checking hunting permits, gun-dog licenses, prescribed bag limits, and firearms. During these inspections, authorities issued 306 hunting permits, verified 205 partridge permits, checked 58 gun-dog licenses, and searched 89 vehicles.
The Punjab Wildlife Department reiterated its commitment to protecting local biodiversity and ensuring strict enforcement of wildlife protection laws throughout the district.
