Desert Protection Teams succeed bringing back Chinkara in Cholistan

Protection Desert Teams managed to conserve and improve the number of various species of wildlife at the internationally famed Cholistan desert.

Due to poaching in the past, Chinkara Deer had almost ended in Cholistan area. Similarly, the number of other species had also mitigated due to illegal hunting and climatic change but the sincere efforts of the department, the number of different species has swelled in the desert.

Talking to APP, Deputy Director Wildlife Bahawalpur Mian Abbas informed the Punjab gov- ernment launched Protection Desert Project in 2006- 7, with an aim to save wildlife in the natural habitat. About 100 officials, including guides, watchers, guards, and survey teams were deputed with nearly 20 jeeps in the desert area. He informed that Chinkara deer was about to end in Cholistan in 2006- 7, however, the number of Chinkara deer has increased remarkably due to performance of Protection Desert Teams as about 4000 deers are found in the desert.

Similarly, Great Indian Bustard, a rare specie, have also been seen in the desert. The survey teams spotted nine to eleven Great Indian Bustards which resembles like Ostrich and it has long legs with 5 to 6 kg weight.

He also informed about the presence of Black Buck, Jackals, Foxes, Wolves, Honey Badgers ( Bijju) in the area. Thousands of Teeter birds are also present in the desert.

About the performance of Protection Desert Teams, Mian Abbas stated that jeeps condition was not good as the officials had been using these vehicles since 2006- 7. Similarly, the teams also faced shortage of funds to safeguard the species in Cholistan.

He said, a total of 24 check posts of wildlife department had been established to discourage illegal hunting in the desert. He stated that many poachers had been fined, he concluded.