MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir Investigation Team): The Azad Kashmir Wildlife Conservation Department has initiated action against three persons for illegal hunting of a barking deer, which is a protected animal under the Wildlife Act of 1975.
The incident of barking deer hunting came to light when a video was shared on social networking websites on the night of April 11 in which three people were shown hunting and then slaughtering a rare deer in Baghchaga, a village in Samahni area of
This video was also shared by one of the three on his Facebook wall and went viral immediately.
After the video went viral Aamir Rafiq, an employee of the Wildlife Department, submitted a written complaint about the incident at the police station.
The individuals named in the complaint are Sajid Hussain, Muhammad Nawaz and Muhammad Mushtaq, all three of whom belong to the border village of Baghchagah Samahni.
According to Aamir Rafique, as soon as the video surfaced, department officials Imran Arif Shah, Zeeshan Azam and Shahbaz Ahmed immediately reached the spot, but the poachers had fled the spot.
The police have registered a case on receiving the complaint and legal action has been initiated under Section 10(2) of the Wildlife Protection Act.
Wildlife Department officer Muhammad Sajid said that due to a fire in the forests of Jammu and Kashmir on the other side of the Line of Control, the barking deer turned towards the population in Azad Kashmir to save its life, where it was hunted.
He said, “Wildlife is our natural capital and its protection will be ensured. Strict action will be taken against those found involved in this crime.
The Wildlife Conservation Department appealed to the public to immediately report any illegal activity to the relevant agencies so that the precious animals and natural environment can be protected.
It should be noted that in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, barking deer are found in Pir Lasora National Park and Choch in Kotli district, while in Bhimber district, Thoppatni and Malni are also present in Bhimber district.
In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, although this deer is included in the third schedule under the Wildlife Act 1975 (i.e. protected animals whose hunting, killing or capture is prohibited) and its potential habitat has been declared a protected area as a national park, experts say that no effective steps are being taken for its protection and management.
Experts say that in the past, due to the exchange of shelling along the Line of Control that divides the disputed Kashmir, this deer has become extinct. The habitat of the animal was affected.
Although there has been no study of this animal in Azad Kashmir in recent years. Therefore, it is very difficult to say what its number is in Azad Kashmir.
Conservation of Barking Deers
In 2009, the Zoology Department of Azad Kashmir conducted a study on the population and conservation of the barking deer for the first time.
This study was conducted from April 2009 to December 2009 in Pir Lasora National Park and other areas of Kotli district, according to which 45 barking deer were found in these areas. It also said that its population is decreasing rapidly due to deforestation, habitat destruction, human interference and illegal hunting.
The barking deer is listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), an international organization working for the conservation of natural environments, wildlife and natural resources.
However, according to the IUCN, it is threatened by illegal hunting, habitat destruction, encroachment and disturbance of its habitat.
The deer is also considered endangered in Pakistan because its population is declining and its habitat is very limited. Preliminary results of a survey by Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change in January 2022 showed that deforestation, loss of water resources, and illegal hunting are still causing a decline in the number of barking deer.
