Latest news with #PunjabWildlifeDepartment
Express Tribune
13-07-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Punjab enforces bird hazard controls near Lahore airport
The Punjab government has launched a major crackdown on bird activity in the vicinity of Lahore Airport to enhance aviation safety, declaring several neighbourhoods 'No Bird Zones' under a new initiative. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz issued the directive to the city's district administration, Punjab Wildlife Department, and the Environment Protection Agency for coordinated action. Localities including Eastern Bypass, Manawan, Hospital Dahori Wala, PKLI, Chungi Amar Sidhu, Ichhra, and Chah Miran have been placed under strict monitoring. Officials said these areas have been ring-fenced aerially to create protective airspace for commercial flights. Bird strikes, particularly during take-off and landing, pose a persistent safety hazard. The new policy aims to mitigate this by reducing bird presence around low-altitude flight paths. Read: Police to set up animal rescue sub-centres Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb has been appointed to oversee the mobilisation of Punjab's first dedicated Wildlife Force. The Wildlife Department has already ordered its field rangers to enforce new restrictions. Strict regulations are being imposed on nearby slaughterhouses, poultry farms, bakeries, and leather-processing units. These businesses must now comply with environmental controls, including a ban on open disposal of animal waste and hides. Additionally, feeding birds in public areas, on rooftops, and at shrines has been outlawed. Residents are also restricted from keeping or flying large numbers of pigeons. Garbage dumping near the airport has been banned, and covered waste bins are now compulsory in specific zones. Officials warned that any activity attracting birds in these areas will be treated as a breach of public safety. Read more: Pet big cats to be sterilised, sale banned Legal action will be taken under the Punjab Wildlife Act, with monitoring teams tasked with ensuring full compliance. Authorities say the move aligns with international aviation safety standards and reflects a long-term commitment to safer skies around the city.
Express Tribune
07-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Punjab CM announces Rs500,000 compensation for victims of lion attack
Listen to article Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced a financial compensation of Rs500,000 each for the three victims injured in the recent lion attack in Lahore. The incident occurred in Johar Town, where a lion kept at a private farmhouse in the Shah Di Khoi area jumped over a wall and attacked pedestrians on the street. The attack left a woman and two children injured. Both children are currently receiving medical treatment at a local hospital. Taking immediate notice of the incident, CM Maryam directed the Punjab government to provide Rs500,000 in compensation to each of the injured individuals. Read More: 18 illegally kept 'pet' lions seized After the incident, the Punjab Wildlife Department officials seized 18 lions from cities across the province during a crackdown against the illegal keeping of lions and other dangerous wild animals. The officials also arrested five people, registered five FIRs and launched investigations into two additional cases. The largest operation took place on July 5 in Lahore, where Punjab Wildlife Director General Mubeen Elahi led a team to raid a private breeding farm located on Bedian Road. The raiding team seized five lions — three male and two female — from the premises. The raid was part of a series of inspections that targeted illegal big cat ownership in major cities. According to the DG, nine lions were taken into custody in Lahore, where four people were arrested, one private enclosure was sealed and three FIRs were registered. Also Read: Punjab to ban sale and begin sterilization of privately owned big cats Earlier, in a landmark move aimed at controlling the population of dangerous wild animals in private possession, the Punjab government announced that it will enforce the sterilisation of lions, tigers, leopards, and other big cats. A ban on the commercial sale and purchase of these species will also be introduced as part of a phased regulatory initiative. In an exclusive interview with Express News, Elahi revealed that, for the first time, the province is implementing a regulatory framework to govern the private ownership of big cats. Owners were given a deadline of May 2 to declare their animals. As of now, 180 registered wildlife breeding farms have declared their stocks, with verification currently underway. To date, 40 of these facilities have been verified.
Express Tribune
05-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Punjab launches operation against illegal keeping of big cats
Listen to article The Punjab Wildlife Department has launched a sweeping crackdown against the illegal keeping of lions and other dangerous wild animals, following orders from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. In the past 24 hours, officials recovered 13 lions and arrested five individuals from different districts. Five First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered, with investigations ongoing in two additional cases, authorities said. Wildlife rangers carried out inspections at 22 locations across the province. In Lahore, four lions were seized, four individuals were arrested, one premises was sealed, and three FIRs were registered. In Gujranwala, four lions were recovered, with one case still under investigation. In Faisalabad, authorities confiscated two lions, sealed an enclosure, and registered one FIR. In Multan, three lions were recovered, one person was arrested, and two FIRs were filed. Illegal Lion Kept in Lahore Uncovered — Swift Action by Wildlife Department 🔸Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb strongly condemned the incident. The injured individual has been shifted to the hospital and is receiving medical treatment. 🔸Wildlife Rangers promptly reached the… — PMLN (@pmln_org) July 4, 2025 Wildlife officials estimate that approximately 587 big cats—including lions, leopards, and tigers are being kept in Punjab, though the actual number is likely higher, as many animals are held illegally without licences or safety measures. Punjab Information and Forestry Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb warned that illegal wildlife trade and private possession of dangerous animals pose serious risks to public safety. 'Keeping lions without legal authorisation is not only a grave crime but a major societal risk,' Aurangzeb said. She reaffirmed the government's zero-tolerance policy and vowed that enforcement actions would continue without exception. 'No one is above the law,' she stated, adding that strict enforcement of wildlife protection laws would be ensured. Also Read: African lion rescued in Gujranwala after abuse video circulates on TikTok The Punjab Wildlife Department has urged the public to report any illegal keeping of lions or other dangerous animals by calling the dedicated helpline at 1107. In a separate incident a day earlier, a man was arrested in Lahore for illegally keeping an African lion without a licence after the animal escaped and wandered into a residential neighbourhood, wildlife officials said on Friday. The Punjab Wildlife Department, assisted by local police, made the arrest in the Shah Di Khoi area. The lion was safely captured and relocated to a secure wildlife facility. The escape caused widespread panic in the neighbourhood and left at least three residents injured, authorities said. All victims received medical treatment and are reported to be in stable condition.
Business Recorder
05-07-2025
- Business Recorder
Man arrested for keeping lion without license
LAHORE: The Punjab Wildlife Department on Friday apprehended an accused on the charges of keeping a lion without a license and transferred the lion to a security facility after recovering it. The lion attacked and injured three persons including two children after escaping from a farm house in Shah Di Khoi area. The injured were rushed to hospital while owner of the lion escaped the scene to save their pet. Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb strongly condemned the incident, stating that those injured during related incidents were immediately shifted to the hospital and are currently under treatment. She directed authorities to launch a strict crackdown against individuals keeping wild animals illegally. The Wildlife Department has lodged an FIR, stating that keeping a lion without a license and proper safety measures constitutes a non-bailable offense under current laws, carrying a punishment of up to seven years imprisonment and a fine of five million rupees. Under the new wildlife regulations, a formal permit, a cage of specified size, and full compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are mandatory for keeping any wild animal. Officials confirmed that enforcement of wildlife laws is being carried out rigorously as part of an environmental protection mission under the special directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. The Wildlife Department has appealed to the public to immediately report any information about individuals keeping lions or other wild animals illegally by calling helpline 1107. Maryam Aurangzeb firmly stated that no one will be allowed to endanger human lives, and those keeping wild animals must fulfil all legal requirements. Otherwise, they will face strict legal action and penalties. The Wildlife Department has reiterated that no leniency will be shown to those keeping wild animals without licenses, and legal action will be taken to ensure the safety of both humans and wildlife. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
04-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Unlicensed lion owner arrested
Punjab Wildlife Department officials, with the assistance of local police, have arrested a man for keeping an African lion without a licence in the Shah Di Khoi area of Lahore. The lion has been relocated to a secure facility and legal proceedings have been initiated against the suspect. The arrest follows an overnight incident, when the lion had escaped from a private enclosure and entered a residential neighbourhood, injuring three residents and causing panic, according to officials. Lahore Region Deputy Chief Wildlife Officer Adnan Virk confirmed that the suspect had neither obtained a departmental permit nor complied with essential safety protocols. "Keeping wild animals in residential areas poses serious risks, and strict action will be taken against such individuals," he said. The department has filed a case under the Punjab Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Management) Act. Unauthorised possession of dangerous wild animals without safety measures is a non-bailable offence, punishable by up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to Rs5 million. Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb ordered a province-wide crackdown against those keeping wild animals unlawfully.
