Punjab has designated 80 hunting zones for partridges this season, marking the first time the province has allowed such regulated hunting. The legal hunting season runs from December 1 to February 15, and hunters can only operate on Sundays, in notified areas, and with official permits or licenses.
According to Chief Wildlife Ranger Punjab, Mobeen Ilahi, 80% of the revenue from legal hunting and trophy hunting will go directly to local communities. Additionally, a 10,000 PKR reward has been announced for reporting illegal hunting, especially of species like urial and chinkara.
Mobeen Ilahi said, “This year, we introduced a comprehensive policy to involve local communities in decision-making, monitoring, and wildlife conservation. The Salt Range has huge potential for eco-tourism, which we aim to develop internationally through integrated management.”
He added that hunting permits for these 80 zones will be auctioned in limited numbers, and formal applications from communities are being invited. The initiative is part of the Chief Minister Community Conservation Program, which also funds breeding, rewilding, and local development projects.
Ilahi also noted that 16 urial trophies have already been auctioned internationally and that foreign hunters have shown interest in hunting wild boars and partridges in the Salt Range. He hinted that if wildlife populations improve, the number of hunting permits could increase, while 15 eco-lodges will be handed over to local groups to generate year-round income through tourism and environmental activities.
Community resistance is already emerging. Residents of several villages in Sohawa Tehsil, including Tapha Phadial, Nathot, Dial, Dhok, and surrounding areas, have unanimously decided to ban all hunting in their territories, regardless of official permits.
Local resident Raja Basharat Ali explained, “This is now a permanent social and regional rule. Even if the government allows hunting on notified lands, private property, grazing areas, crop fields, and other local hills will remain off-limits. Hunting endangers crops, livestock, and the safety of residents.”
Another resident, Abdul Rahman, highlighted that heavy rainfall this year has already damaged crops like peanuts and millet, and wild boars are further destroying what little remains. He said that restrictions on culling wild boars are increasing agricultural losses.
Fahad Malik, head of Mission Awareness Foundation, stressed that partial hunting bans are insufficient for wildlife protection. “In the past, hunting was for survival. Now it is a leisure activity, which is not appropriate. Legal hunting does not necessarily enhance wildlife protection. Look at India—strict bans have shown better results in conserving similar species and ecosystems,” he said.
