The Fruits of Wildlife Reforms in Punjab

By Mirza Muhammad Ramzan

Deputy Chief Wildlife Ranger (Publicity)

It is no secret that the Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department has made remarkable progress over the past two and a half years, advancing rapidly in its efforts to protect wildlife, modernise its operations, and promote ecotourism. Much of the credit for these achievements goes to the Government of Punjab, particularly Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, whose commitment, hard work, and visionary leadership have played a significant role in transforming the department. Their personal interest in protecting and promoting the province’s natural resources has led to extensive and historic reforms in the wildlife and forestry sectors, placing the department on a new path of growth and development.

During this period of rapid transformation, the department has introduced effective legislation to ensure wildlife conservation and strengthen the enforcement of wildlife laws. At the same time, it has modernised its resources and operations to meet contemporary requirements. These reforms have not only strengthened the enforcement of wildlife legislation across the province but have also created opportunities for the public to benefit from quality recreational, educational, and research activities. The adoption of modern technology has made departmental services more efficient, transparent, and accessible. Most services are now available through the eBiz portal, including the registration of private wildlife breeding farms and the issuance of licences and permits for the legal hunting and trade of wildlife.

To strengthen public participation in wildlife conservation, the department has also established a dedicated helpline, **1107**, for reporting wildlife-related crimes. These include illegal hunting, trading, smuggling, unlawful capture and possession of wild animals, and the sale and purchase of caged birds under the guise of charity. The helpline has been formally launched to enable citizens to report such offences without fear and contribute to wildlife protection. The identities of individuals reporting wildlife crimes are kept strictly confidential to protect their privacy and encourage public cooperation.

Another major achievement has been the rapid modernisation of zoos under the department’s management in accordance with international standards of captive wildlife management. During the first phase, Lahore Zoo and Lahore Safari Zoo underwent significant upgrades, transforming them into more attractive destinations for tourists, families, and wildlife enthusiasts. Lahore Zoo now offers modern facilities, including e-ticketing, spacious parking, Zoo Holovers, virtual reality, mixed reality, a reptile house, camel rides, children’s rides, and modern fish aquariums. Similarly, Lahore Safari Zoo has introduced e-ticketing, electric vehicles, information centres, jungle safaris, lion and tiger safaris, a Salt Range attraction, fish aquariums, a tree café, food courts, a 7D cinema, and Wild on Beats. These facilities have enhanced the recreational and educational experience of visitors while bringing the attractions closer to international standards.

The transformation of the department into a Wildlife Force has also been an important step towards strengthening wildlife protection and law enforcement. During the present government’s tenure, a transparent recruitment process was completed to fill **612 vacant field staff positions**, with men and women appointed as Head Wildlife Rangers, Senior Wildlife Rangers, and Wildlife Rangers. Uniforms were provided to field officers and staff, and arrangements were made for their physical and professional training. The personnel were equipped with the necessary weapons and ammunition, along with modern field equipment such as drones, body cameras, binoculars, camera traps, and GPS devices. In addition, **62 new vehicles and 430 motorcycles** were purchased to facilitate surveillance of protected areas, field monitoring, and the prevention of illegal hunting, wildlife trade, unlawful possession, and smuggling across the province.

Following the establishment of the Wildlife Force, the department’s organisational structure was reorganised to improve efficiency and coordination. The post of Director General Wildlife and Parks was redesignated as Chief Wildlife Ranger, while the positions of Director Wildlife and Parks, Deputy Director Wildlife, Assistant Director Wildlife, Wildlife Supervisor, Wildlife Inspector, and Head Wildlife Watcher were redesignated as Additional Chief Wildlife Ranger, Deputy Chief Wildlife Ranger, Assistant Chief Wildlife Ranger, Head Wildlife Ranger, Senior Wildlife Ranger, and Wildlife Ranger, respectively. Furthermore, three new Grade-19 positions of Additional Chief Wildlife Ranger were created for the Central, North, and South Zones, and appointments were made to these positions. These changes have helped establish a more coordinated organisational structure and strengthen the department’s operational capacity.

Legislative reforms have been another significant part of this transformation. Extensive amendments were introduced to the Wildlife Act of 1974 and the Protected Areas Act of 2020 to improve the legal framework for wildlife conservation and enforcement. For the first time in the province, an online registration system was introduced for big cats and parrots, making the registration process more accessible and helping the department monitor these animals more effectively.

The present government and its management team have also worked tirelessly to promote ecotourism, strengthen wildlife conservation, improve employees’ professional capabilities, and modernise departmental operations. Their efforts have helped bring the department among the province’s prominent public-sector institutions. Soon after assuming office, the Government of Punjab approved approximately a dozen major development projects worth billions of rupees for the department. It also provided substantial funding for four major ongoing projects: the Revamping of Lahore Zoo, the Implementation of the Master Plan at Lahore Safari Zoo, the Establishment of a Wildlife Park and Zoo in District Okara, and the Upscaling of the Green Pakistan Programme and Revival of Wildlife Resources.

Several additional development projects are expected to contribute further to the department’s progress. These include the establishment of a state-of-the-art hospital at Lahore Safari Zoo, an Immersive Wildlife Experience Cinema and Moving Theatre, the Chief Minister’s Wildlife Rescue Force, experience development at captive facilities, and an Archive and Wildlife Resources Management System in Punjab. Other initiatives include capacity building for wildlife conservation, ecotourism at Changa Manga and the Uchhali and Chashma wetlands, the Punjab Wildlife Census, and the upgradation of Banserra Gali Zoo in Murree. Further projects include Phase II of the Master Plan for Lahore Safari Zoo, the revamping and experience development of Bahawalpur Zoo, and the Punjab Wildlife and Habitat Restoration Programme through community-based conservancies and implementation partners. Collectively, these initiatives aim to strengthen wildlife conservation, improve public facilities, and promote sustainable tourism.

The department’s achievements are also reflected in its law enforcement performance. During the past two and a half years, a total of **13,730 cases** relating to wildlife crimes were registered across the province’s three zones. Fines amounting to **Rs. 229,879,331** were imposed in 12,483 cases, while FIRs were registered against 1,507 accused individuals. These figures demonstrate the scale of enforcement activity undertaken to address illegal hunting, trade, smuggling, and other wildlife-related offences.

During the same period, the department recovered **52,274 wild animals and birds** from illegal hunters, smugglers, and individuals holding them unlawfully. The rescued animals included 38 Asiatic black bears, 77 lions, one wolf, two hyenas, one langur, 133 monkeys, five foxes, 16 pangolins, nine wild cats, three chinkaras, one python, 89 deer of various species, seven nilgai, 11 Punjab urials, three civet cats, 55 wild boars, two jackals, 26 snakes of different species, and 335 monitor lizards, among others.

The rescued birds included 40,118 caged birds, such as house sparrows, munias, babblers, and other small birds; 852 rose-ringed parakeets; 622 common wild parakeets; 849 plum-headed parakeets; 72 cockatiels; one macaw; 888 lovebirds; one white-eyed buzzard; 14 owls; 896 black and grey partridges; 382 chukars; 4,823 quails; 107 doves; 72 peafowl; 31 pheasants; 152 lapwings; 88 ducks; one houbara bustard; one flamingo; 541 mynas; one coucal; 32 demoiselle cranes; 538 wild pigeons; 69 vultures; six falcons; 17 black kites; 18 kestrels; 28 shikras; one Caspian gull; one eagle; and one Asian koel. The recovery of such a large number of animals and birds highlights the scale of illegal wildlife activity and the importance of continued enforcement, rescue operations, and public cooperation.

Undoubtedly, the Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department has achieved a significant milestone in its development over the past two and a half years. The introduction of legislative reforms, the modernisation of departmental services, the strengthening of the Wildlife Force, improvements to zoological facilities, and the implementation of major development projects have collectively contributed to this progress. Nevertheless, the officers and staff members who have worked day and night to protect, conserve, sustain, and manage wildlife across the province deserve particular recognition for their dedication and professional commitment. Their efforts have been central to these achievements and will continue to play an important role in safeguarding Punjab’s natural heritage. With sustained institutional support, effective enforcement, and continued investment in conservation, these reforms can help ensure that wildlife and natural resources receive greater protection and that future generations benefit from a richer and healthier natural environment.