CHAKWAL, April 18: The Siberian falcons, after remaining caged for six months, on Monday got new lease of life when all 36 were freed in three different jungles of Kallar Kahar and Pind Dadan Khan.
Punjab Wildlife Department, in this regard, organised a ceremony some 80km off south of Chakwal in the forests of Pind Dadan Khan where Punjab Minister for Agriculture and Wildlife Malik Ahmad Ali Aulakh was the chief guest.
Secretary Forests and Wildlife Babar Hassan Bharwana, renowned actress, writer and human rights activist Faryal Gohar, falconer Fathe Ullah Khan, Major Kamal-ud-Din of Falcon Foundation International and other officials of Wildlife Department were also present in the ceremony.
Addressing the participants, Minister Malik Ahmad Ali Aulakh praised the Wildlife Department for doing a commendable job
by releasing the falcons. “Let the world know that Pakistan can protect birds,” he said adding every living being has the right of freedom.
Secreatry Wildlife Babar Hassan Bharwana while speaking on the occasion said that a good message had been sent to the world. He applauded the personnel of Wildlife Department for doing tremendous job.
Faryal Gohar urged the people to realise the importance of birds. “We should take pity on the birds and we should protect them,” she appeals. She also praised Dr Salman Qaiser and Dr Jhanzeb for doing excellent job for the protection of endangered
species.
Falconer Fathe Ullah Khan revealed that falcons are worth of billions. “The white headed falcon is sold by Rs30 millions each,” he said. He said that these falcons came to Pakistan in September and go back in March and April.
Some falcons could not fly and came down after their release. The experts of Falcon Foundation International Pakistan said that they would take some time to adjust themselves.
Talking to Dawn, District Wildlife Officer Khalid Sahi said that the falcons would be protected as long as they stayed in the jungles. “We have deployed our personnel in the forests for the protection of the birds,” he said.
The Siberian falcons were seized at Benazir Airport while being smuggled to some foreign country and man was arrested and the falcon were given into the custody of Punjab Wildlife Department.
On April 11 the department filed a petition with the District and Sessions Judge Rawalpindi seeking permission to free the falcons. In petition the department said that the Siberian migratory birds would not be able to survive the hot summer in
Pakistan. On April 12 the court allowed Wildlife Department to release the falcons.
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