By Rafiullah Mandokhail,
ZHOB: Soon after the Siberian cranes started returning back to their native abode, the poachers have set up their camps to trap the guest birds along Zhob River and other parts of the district here.
District administration and Forest & wildlife department has completely banned hunting of migratory birds and the administration has launched a crackdown against illegal crane hunting in every nook and corner of the district.
On the special directives of Deputy Commissioner Shabir Ahmed Mengal, Levies team led by AC Noor Ahmed Baloch, Tehsildar Mehtab Shah Ustrana, Naib Risaldar Levies Faazal Shah Mandokhail and Bahar Khan Mandokhail seized several Siberian cranes from poachers’ possession during the raids.
“District administration and Wildlife department officials have been put on alert to stop illegal hunting of guest birds including cranes. Indiscriminate action would be continued until the season ends”, Deputy Commissioner Shabir Mengal has warned.
The seized cranes have been handed over to SDO Wildlife Noor Khan, Rangers Wildlife Dawood Khan Mandokhail and Forest Officer Ashraf Ali.
Meanwhile, the area people have appreciated the action to curb illegal hunting. They asked the authorities concerned to increase patrolling during migratory season and completely ban hunting of migratory birds to conserve the precious species. If not, it would have very negative impact on wild life survival.
Zhob is considered a paradise for trapping migratory birds including cranes. According to officials, the migratory birds fly over four thousand kilometers to arrive in Pakistan from Siberia and Central Asian countries. During their migration the birds fly around two hundred kilometers on daily basis. Zhob falls on the international route of migratory birds.