Lahore: The Punjab Assembly’s Standing Committee on Wildlife has approved significant amendments to the Wildlife Act of 1974, aimed at strengthening protections for endangered species and addressing wildlife violence. The new amendments include the establishment of special courts to expedite action against offenders harming wildlife.
The decision follows growing concerns over the killing of endangered species such as striped hyenas, grey wolves, and leopards in tribal areas of Punjab, including Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur, as well as in parts of Balochistan like Dera Bugti and Khuzdar. Conservationists have raised alarms over these incidents, which threaten the sustainable growth of already dwindling wildlife populations.
In addition to tackling wildlife violence, the Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department has proposed further changes to regulate the keeping of large cats, including lions, tigers, and cheetahs, as pets. The proposed measures aim to curb illegal ownership and prevent the public and social media display of these animals, which has been a rising trend.
Wildlife experts and conservation advocates have welcomed the move, calling it a step forward in ensuring the protection of biodiversity and enforcing stricter regulations on human-wildlife interactions. The amendments now await formal approval and implementation.
