Lahore:
The hunting season for quail and other game birds is officially opened in Punjab from August 1st and continues until April 15, 2025.
Authorities have warned hunters that stricter penalties will use this year according to the recently changed Punjab Wildlife Act, 1974.
So far, 132 FIR’s have been registered against offenders since the start of the season.
The amended law, which is with effect from 2025, makes illegal hunting and poaching cognizable and non-accessible offenses. Violators are now facing fines ranging from RS50,000 to RS5 million and imprisonment of up to seven years.
According to the Punjab Wildlife Act, hunting is only allowed in the notified seasons, within daily limits and with a valid license.
Hunting in national parks, wildlife shrines and game reserves remains strictly forbidden. This year’s schedule specifies that guard hunting is allowed from August 15 to April 15 with a daily limit of 50 birds.
For rainfall quail, the limit is six per. Day between August 1 and September 30. Migrating waterfowl, including ducks and geese, can only be hunted on the weekends from October 1 to 31 March with a maximum of 10 birds per day. Day.
Crane hunting is allowed from August 15 to April 15 with a limit of three, while Chukar Partridge and See-See Partridge can be hunted between November 1 and March 1 with a daily bag with five each. Black and gray francolines can only be hunted on Sundays from November 15 to February 15 with a limit of six. Larger games like Blue Bulls (Nilgai) and Urial can only be hunted with special permits.
Previously, poached cases were considered bailable and prosecuted in ordinary courts. According to the new changes, however, violations of sections 9, 11, 12, 13, 20 and 28 of the law now carry sanctions of two to five years in prison and fines ranging from RS50,000 to RS1 million.
For serious crimes, offenders can have up to seven years in prison and fines as high as RS5 million. Weapons, vehicles and other equipment used for illegal hunting will also be confiscated and cases will be heard in special courts.
Additional Chief Wildlife Ranger Syed Kamran Bukhari said Wildlife Rangers has been empowered to register FIRs who will be prosecuted by District’s public prosecutors. For now, as the rules are still under approval, fours are filed with police assistance.
