03/05/09
‘Core zones to be identified as reservations for wildlife’
Link: http://www.thenews.com.pk/print1.asp?id=165692
‘Core zones to be identified as reservations for wildlife’
Thursday, March 05, 2009
By By Jan Khaskheli
Karachi
The Sindh government has assigned the provincial wildlife department the task of initiating a scientific management and conservation project to protect wildlife species which are vulnerable to climate change as well as poaching.
In order to implement the project, the Sindh Wildlife Department is working to identify ‘core zones’ where small populations of local wild animals can inhabit. “Human settlement, livestock’s grazing, mining and other activities will be strictly prohibited in these core zones,” said SWD Conservator Hussain Bux Bhagat.
Population expansion and burgeoning settlements have been interfering with various wildlife species. With an increase in human population comes the demand for more food, which usually results in the cultivation of large areas that usually replace forests and groves. In addition, increasing livestock requires more open fields and fodder.
All these activities affect wildlife, Bhagat said, adding that the persistent shortage of fresh water and natural lakes where animals, birds and reptiles come frequently are also degrading.
Despite these pressures, “there are still areas with small populations of wild animals and we are trying to identify the zones in order to protect them,” Bhagat said.
“Gone are the days when people were awake all night fearing dangerous animal attacks. Now, animals are in danger, and are leaving their natural habitats due to increasing hunting pressure,” he said. “We have planned to protect wildlife species because many of them have either disappeared from natural habitats or are close to extinction.”
It has been observed that there is a conflict between wildlife and livestock. Wild animals sometimes attack herds killing goats, grazing sheep and in reaction herdsmen kill dangerous animals, Bhagat said. “Now everyone living in the rural areas owns guns for protection due to certain traditional lifestyle. For instance, if a wolf kills domestic animals, people instantly search got the animal and kill it instantly. This has caused a decreasing population of certain wild animals,” he said.
Bhagat told The News that the department can approach other provincial authorities to bring wild animals and birds to the wildlife reserves and parks for breeding. “We can do all of this, but we cannot assure their protection. Due to the pressures on wildlife, we are unable to protect even native species. It would be an uphill task to move endangered animals to these core zones,” he said.
1 comment
R/SIR
SWD CONSERVATOR HUSSAIN BUX BHAGAT
sir m very glad to know about your conservatory efforts for the endagered species of animals in our country.you have pointed towards the threat which is mainly the cause of the species’s extinction,as people kill them instantly to secure their lives.
but these species must be ,however preserved to keep their race in our country and in this regard your organization is doig very well.
sir,in my province NWFP there is found a lot of such species every day as it is heavily forested area.for example a very dangerous leopard was found near shaheed pani in hazara district which killed a man at the spot.wild life deppt.of the district captured the animal .but the animal is much weak and unhealthy.
sir,that leopard is checked by doctors for any disease but not any disease is yet identified and they are now intending to bring it to lahore for chekup.it is one of the most important and endangered animal of the district and i advise you to plz provide any possible chekup to the animal to save it.if possible.
THANKS
