The agreement for the wildlife survey was recently signed between Punjab Wildlife and IUCN. According to Chief Wildlife Ranger Mudassir Riaz Malik, “Wildlife is not only a symbol of natural beauty but also a cornerstone of ecological balance and sustainable development. It is time for us as a society to unite and take concrete steps for the protection of our wildlife, as their survival is deeply linked with our own.”
He further stated that the survey will help create a detailed ecological map of Punjab and identify endangered or rare species that require urgent conservation measures. The data gathered will contribute to the provincial wildlife “Red Book” and eventually become part of the IUCN’s global database.
Speaking to Express Tribune, IUCN National Project Manager Asim Jamal said, “Punjab may be the only province in the region undertaking such a scientifically organized wildlife survey. The resulting ‘Wildlife Red Data Book’ will be a foundational tool for conservation planning and policy-making.”
The project will collect detailed statistics on the types, populations, habitats, and threats faced by various species of animals and birds across Punjab. Experts in biodiversity, volunteers, local communities, and advanced technologies such as camera traps, GPS, and drones are being deployed to support this effort. University professors, students, and NGO representatives are also actively participating as part of the survey teams.
According to Project Head Mudassir Hassan, the primary focus of the survey will be on native species such as the urial, chinkara, nilgai, hog deer, Indus dolphin, pangolin, and houbara bustard. However, other wildlife species will also be documented.
A steering committee has been formed on the directive of the Chief Minister of Punjab to monitor the progress of the survey. The committee includes wildlife experts and academic professionals from various universities.
Experts believe that this wildlife survey will not only provide essential data for policymaking but also help reduce human-wildlife conflict, curb illegal hunting, and facilitate the establishment of protected areas across the province.