LAHORE: An application was filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday seeking a ban on hunting blackbucks in Punjab.
The court has sought recommendations from the Punjab government and the commission working to save blackbucks in the province. The authorities concerned have been directed to present a report in this regard by June 17.
In Pakistan, the blackbuck lives in semi-desert areas such as Cholistan and Thar. Today the blackbuck is an occasional straggler along with the eastern desert border areas of the country.
There is no permanent resident population today in Pakistan. During the late 1970s and early ’80s small populations of blackbucks were brought from Texas, USA to start a reintroduction program in Pakistan.
These projects have had some success and now there are small captive populations of blackbuck in 3-4 locations, particularly in Kirthar and Lal Sohanra National Parks.
At present about 500 animals are surviving in Mir of Khairpurs Mehrano reserve, 110 at Khangur, Ghotki and 70 at New Jatoi, Nawab Shah. Except these, some are kept in different zoo’s, wildlife centres and in possession of individuals. At present all together about 1500 Black Bucks are reared in captivity and they are surviving in Punjab and Sindh regions of Pakistan.
These will be released in the wild in the near future.
