The Punjab government has decided to form a Wildlife Protection Force to safeguard and promote the breeding of various wild animals and birds in the government forests and national parks.
The Department claimed that work is underway for safeguarding wildlife and forests, boosting forest resources, and eradicating environmental pollution. It plans to take steps ask the officials from the forests, wildlife, fisheries, and environment departments to collaborate effectively.
In this regard, a comprehensive zoological survey will be started in Government Private Forests to gather data on different species of wild animals. Funds will be allocated for them in the new financial year 2024-25. In the zoological survey of animals, comprehensive data will be gathered on all types of animals, including numbers, divisions, and categories. Furthermore, measures will be taken to facilitate their breeding.
For the Zoological Survey, the teams will be divided into nine groups, and each group will be given one division. Each team will be able to conduct surveys solely in their designated division. The main focus will be on studying endangered species of wild animals. As per the proposals, the required wild animals will be procured from Africa and the Middle East and subsequently released into the forests in Punjab.
The field staff and area inspectors, constables of the Department of Forests, Wildlife and Fisheries will also be integrated into the force.