In a landmark decision, the Cabinet has passed a revised agenda on the Wildlife Act of 1974, allowing all Pakistani citizens to have big cats-like lions, cheetahs, tigers, pumas, and jaguars-as pets within their premises. This means that animal lovers need not go all the way to zoos to have the majestic beast wandering around their sitting rooms-all at a nominal fee of Rs 50,000 per animal.
The senior minister, Marriyum Aurangzeb, said, “No legislation regarding ownership was in place during the last 70 years; consequently, their number went up even in residential areas.” A blanket ban has been slapped on running these powerful animals on social media apps such as TikTok to dissuade people from keeping them to obviate risks associated with it. A legal action is being launched against the violators of this ban.
Under the new legislation, the state wildlife department would issue possession licenses for big cats, enforcing minimum standards on the owners caring for the animals. Animals will have to be kept at least outside of city limits-owners are to be served notice with a deadline to have the animals rehoused. Without which, appropriate legal action would be initiated, all the way from filing FIRs.
Further, the amended Punjab Forest Transit Rules 2024 have introduced several newer projects for the improvement of wildlife conservation. Checkposts will be established at various locations in Pakistan to keep a check on the movement of forest animals. These animals will not be permitted to move after sunset and before sunrise.
Aurangzeb said, while trying to discourage illegal transport of forest produce and bringing transparency and ensuring more protection for forests. Transportation will not be allowed after dark, that is considered to be one crucial move towards the protection of environment for a long term. Further establishment of sawmills or coal kilns is also banned within a radius of five miles around the forest limits. A Special squad would be established to enforce the new rules to replace the archaic Forest Depot Rules, 2013.
