On the directions of Chief Minister Punjab, the Punjab Wildlife Department has launched the province’s first-ever Wildlife Informer Campaign, aimed at cracking down on illegal hunting and poaching with the help of citizens.
Under the new initiative, members of the public can receive cash rewards for providing accurate and verifiable information about illegal hunting, trapping through nets, and covert poaching activities. Wildlife officials said the campaign is designed to involve communities directly in the protection of endangered and protected species.
According to the department, any citizen who reports illegal wildlife activity that leads to a successful enforcement action will be eligible for a government-notified reward. Authorities stressed that only information that is confirmed and results in action will qualify for payment.
The Wildlife Department has also released a detailed reward structure for different species and violations. An informer can receive Rs100,000 for information leading to action against the illegal hunting of the Great Indian Bustard, while Rs50,000 has been fixed for reports related to the illegal hunting of Urial and deer.
For the endangered Houbara Bustard, the reward has been set at Rs25,000. Informers will receive Rs10,000 for reporting the use of nets, night-time illegal hunting of partridges, and the poaching of peacocks, quails, and water birds. A reward of Rs5,000 will be given for information leading to action against the illegal hunting of partridge and wild hare.
Wildlife officials said illegal hunting cannot be effectively controlled without public cooperation, adding that the informer campaign is a major step towards strengthening surveillance beyond departmental resources.
The department has urged citizens to actively participate in the campaign and support efforts to conserve Punjab’s wildlife for future generations.
