Punjab Cabinet allows private ownership of big cats under strict regulations

LAHORE: The Punjab cabinet has taken a historic step allowing private ownership of big cats such as lions, cheetahs, tigers, pumas, and jaguars, subject to robust regulations.

It was part of a four-point agenda presented by the Department of Forests at the cabinet meeting, and it marks the first time these animals will be controlled under the Wildlife Act.

Licensing will now be directly issued by the Wildlife Department, at a fee of Rs50,000 per animal, while minimum levels of care will be syntactically established for such animals taken into private custody.

Under the amended regulations, these animals must be housed outside urban areas with a timeframe within which they must be transferred. Non-compliance will result in the registration of first information reports (FIRs).

Furthermore, the amended Punjab Forest Transit Rules provide for restrictions against the transportation of forest produce from sunset to sunrise, thus key points of check posts are noted.

Forest officers are being empowered, thus they can close depots and impose punishment when a violation occurs. As per the Punjab Cabinet’s spokesperson, “The newly adopted regulations guarantee stricter supervision for wildlife welfare while keeping the check on forest resource control.”

With these promulgated regulations, the government of Punjab shows its commitment to the protection of wildlife and control of forest resources.

The government’s initiatives regulating the private ownership of the big cats and their transportation are commendable. Most importantly, the welfare of these animals must be ensured and respected.

Check posts and powers given to the forest officers to take action against violators will minimize the illegal transportation of forest produce and hence help to save the wildlife.