Authorities in Punjab have intensified operations against illegal hunting and wildlife trade across several regions, seizing equipment and imposing heavy fines on violators.
According to the wildlife department spokesperson, raids were conducted in Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Salt Range, Sahiwal, Multan, Bahawalpur, and Dera Ghazi Khan. A total of 62 quail and falcon netting gears were confiscated, 57 hunters were fined, and penalties worth more than Rs1.15 million were imposed.
In Bahawalpur division alone, 25 hunting gears were seized and 12 hunters were fined Rs666,000. Dozens of quails were released, and a rescued nilgai calf was also saved during the operation.
In Lahore, two hunting parties were fined Rs290,000, while in Faisalabad a hunter was fined Rs52,000 for illegally hunting ducks. In Gujrat, four hunters were fined Rs70,000.
Other operations in Multan and Dera Ghazi Khan led to the recovery of more than 60 hunting gears. In Narowal, an injured python was rescued and released back into the wild, while in Jhelum action was taken against illegal falcon hunting.
Officials said the crackdown reflects the government’s commitment to protecting wildlife and preventing illegal trade that threatens endangered species.
