HYDERABAD: Sindh Minister for Wildlife Dr Daya Ram Essrani has said that the Sindh government has launched a Rs300 million wildlife national protection project for the Kirthar National Park in district Jamshoro.

Speaking at a news conference at the local circuit house after attending an open katchehry here on Wednesday, he said that the project would be completed within three years.

He said that his department was making efforts to protect wildlife and to stop illegal hunting.

He said, there were 825 employees in the department but despite shortage of staff, their performance was satisfactory.

He said, a Rs250,000 fine would be imposed on people found hunting deer illegally. The fine had been imposed on two influential persons who were caught red-handed in the hunting of deer, he said.

He said FIRs had been registered against the two elected representatives of people on charge of illegal hunting, making it clear that no one would be spared.

Answering a question, he said that hunting permits were issued by the federal government to people coming from Arab countries whereas a fixed quota had also been allotted to his department for the purpose.

He said, last year, his department had recovered 48 falcons and in the current month, 28 falcons which had been illegally trapped.

Earlier, speaking at an open katchehry, the minister said that strict action would be taken against those functionaries who had failed to tend this public forum.

He said open katchehris were being held on the order of President Asif Ali Zardari to resolve problems of the people at their doorsteps.

Local PPP leaders were present on the occasion.