Jalalabad residents concerned at illegal hunting of Sach birds

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Some people are arbitrarily hunting a rare bird locally called “Sach” in Jalalabad city, the capital of eastern Nangarhar province, residents say, fearing the specie’s extinction.

Nangarhar Environment Protection Department officials say hunting birds and other wild animals is banned and ask security forces to assist them in this regard.

Zubair Ahmad, a shopkeeper at Pashtunistan square of Jalalabad, told Pajhwok Afghan News some people were seen with airguns in the city once again hunting Sach birds.

He said: “These hunters are usually seen under trees in different parts of the city to hunt Sach birds”.

He asked the government authorities to prevent illegal hunting and punish those involved.

Talashi square is another area of Jalalabad city where Sach birds are hunted the most, said Sabirullah, a shopkeeper of the area. He also asked the government to stop hunting of Sach birds.

“It is the duty of the government to prevent all illegal activities and punish their perpetrators”, Sabirullah added.

Provincial Environment Protection Department admits Sach birds are being hunted in the city.

Feroz Mohammadzoi, the head of the department, told Pajhwok they had drafted a regulation for prevention of hunting of Sach birds and they awaited its approval from the prime minister’s office.

“The environment protection department is a policy making body, some other authorities assist us in preventing violations,” he said.

Bakhti Jan Murad, spokesman of Jalalabad municipality, said all personnel of the municipality had been advised to prevent illegal hunting of Sach birds.

It is worth mentioning there are many maple trees in Jalalabad city and Sach birds come every year and nest on these trees in breeding season.

aw/ma