LAHORE:
The hunting season for quail and other hunting birds has officially opened in Punjab from August 1 and will continue until April 15, 2025.
The authorities have warned hunters that the strictest punishments will apply this year under the newly modified Wildlife Law of Punjab, 1974.
Until now, 132 FIR have registered against criminals since the beginning of the season.
The amended law, effective since 2025, makes illegal hunting and poaching are cognizable and non -financing crimes. The offenders now face fines ranging from RS50,000 to RS5 million and the imprisonment of up to seven years.
According to the Punjab Wildlife Law, hunting is allowed only during the notified seasons, within the daily limits and with a valid license.
Hunting within national parks, wildlife and hunting reserves remain strictly prohibited. This year’s schedule specifies that quail hunting is allowed from August 15 to April 15, with a daily limit of 50 birds.
For raunder species fed with rain, the limit is six per day between August 1 and September 30. Migratory aquatic birds, including ducks and geese, can only be hunted on weekends from October 1 to March 31, with a maximum of 10 birds per 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 of five each. The black and gray Francolines can only be hunted on Sundays from November 15 to February 15, with a limit of six. Larger games such as Blue Bulls (Nilgai) and Urial can only be fallen with special permits.
Previously, poaching cases were considered rescued and processed in ordinary courts. However, under the new amendments, the violations of sections 9, 11, 12, 13, 20 and 28 of the law now have sanctions of two to five years in prison and fines ranging from RS50,000 to RS1 million.
For serious crimes, criminals can face up to seven years in prison and fines of up to RS5 million. Weapons, vehicles and other equipment used in illegal hunting will also be confiscated, and cases will be heard in special courts.
Additional Wildlife Head Syed Kamran Bukhari said that the wildlife rangers have been empowered to register FIR, who will be prosecuted by district prosecutors. For now, since the rules are still under approval, FIRS is being presented with police assistance.
