Pakistan Customs has decided to install updated database at all airports and exit points of the country to control trafficking of endangered species from the country.

This point came to knowledge at the conclusion of a two-day capacity building workshop conducted by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) on Tuesday. The workshop was aimed at developing a strategy against the trade of endangered wildlife species.

Officials of different government departments were the key participants of the workshop who highlighted the issues regarding the illegal trade of endangered species and recommended the suitable solutions. The participants were divided in four different groups to formulate recommendations and suggestions, which could be sent to different government departments to tighten the wildlife trade inside and outside the country.

Pakistan Customs representative Dr Kanwal Ali on the occasion highlighted that legal gap prevailed in the department regarding the wildlife trade. She said that wildlife species were not mentioned in the passengers’ goods so far and the department was planning to amend its section 156, which deals with the goods to be transported. She revealed that the detectors installed at the airports and exit points of the country can’t detect the wildlife species.

Other participants emphasised that the Ministry of Climate Change should be taken on board for the import and export of endangered wildlife species. They suggested that the ministry should be authorised to issue NOC for the trade of endangered species and the police, provincial and local governments should be involved in controlling trade of wild fauna and flora.

WWF-Pakistan Director Species Conservation Dr Uzma Khan, WWF-Pakistan DG Hammad Naqi Khan, Wildlife Conservator Umeed Khalid, senior officials of Ministry of Climate Change, Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Rescue 1122, Pakistan Rangers, Punjab Police, Fisheries Department were the among the participants.

(Source: Daily Time)