KANDAHAR (SW): Ragging violence and rampant hunting in Kandahar has posed serious threats to a number of wildlife species, including many on the verge of extinction.
Kandahar is home to wild deer (gazelle), hawk, mountain sheep, partridge, duck, jackal, leopard and a number of other wild birds and animals. The provincial chapter of the National Environment Protection Agency (NEPA) has noted many among these rare animals and birds are facing the threat of extinction here.
Lail Shah, head of the provincial NEPA, told Salam Watandar, wild animals have been hunted illegally in the province. He blamed members of the security forces are also involved in illegal hunting. “The former president Hamid Karzai had issued a decree declaring the hunt of wild animals as illegal, this decree should be properly implemented”, added Shah.
Kandahar residents are equally concerned about the issue.
Meanwhile, Zia Durrani, spokesman for the provincial police headquarters, has rejected all allegations about the security forces’ involvement in illegal hunting. “We are very cooperative with the NEPA and other relevant wildlife protection entities”, added Durrani.
ENDS
