Punjab Wildlife & Parks Department

The Punjab Wildlife & Parks Department (Urdu: محکمہ جنگلی حیات و پارکس پنجاب) is the provincial agency responsible for the protection, conservation, and management of wildlife and protected areas in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The department oversees wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, captive breeding, enforcement of wildlife laws, and operation of zoos, safari parks, sanctuaries, and public wildlife reserves under the Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries Department.^[2]

Punjab's organised wildlife administration dates back to the Game Department established in 1934, which regulated hunting licences and game reserves during the British period. Following the abolition of princely states and integration into the provincial administrative system, the department evolved into the Wildlife & Parks Department in 1973, marking a shift from sport hunting to conservation-oriented management.^[3][4]

The department's modern legal foundation was established under the Punjab Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Management) Act, 1974, which remains in force with subsequent amendments. The law defined classes of protected areas, empowered government officers to regulate hunting and possession, and introduced schedules for protected species. Its implementation coincided with the creation of the first wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in Punjab.^[5]

The department operates under two core provincial statutes: The Punjab Wildlife Act, 1974, which governs hunting, captive keeping, wildlife trade, and licensing; and the Punjab Protected Areas Act, 2020, which provides a framework for establishing and managing national parks, sanctuaries, game reserves, and public wildlife reserves under management plans approved by the government.^[6][7]

Together, these statutes empower the department to declare protected areas by gazette notification, appoint management authorities, and regulate permissible uses within such areas. Under the 2020 law, management boards are tasked with approving plans for conservation, visitor management, and community engagement. In 2023, the Punjab Rangers were formally designated as the management authority for the Border Belt Public Wildlife Reserve, representing a significant step towards collaborative security–conservation management.^[8][9]

A comprehensive amendment bill introduced in 2025 proposes updated definitions, higher penalties, and harmonisation with the 2020 Act, ensuring consistency between wildlife protection and protected-area governance.^[10]

The department's functions encompass wildlife conservation, law enforcement, research, captive breeding, rescue and rehabilitation, and public education. Its operations include habitat management, monitoring of migratory and resident species, control of poaching, and development of eco-tourism initiatives in coordination with district administrations and community organisations.^[11]

Through the Wildlife PASS digital licensing system launched in 2024, hunting and possession licences can be renewed online, improving transparency and compliance. By late 2024, more than 2,000 licences had been issued through the platform.^[12][13]

The department also conducts anti-poaching operations, confiscations, and prosecutions. In 2025, multiple crackdowns targeted illegal wildlife trafficking and big-cat ownership, leading to arrests and seizures across Lahore, Multan, and Bahawalpur.^[14][15]

The head office of the department is located in Lahore, and operates under the administrative control of the Secretary, Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries Department. Field divisions are distributed across Punjab's districts, each supervised by Deputy and Assistant Directors (Wildlife).^[16]

• Lahore Zoo Safari (Raiwind Road) – the department's flagship safari zoo complex featuring open enclosures, breeding units, and an aquarium under development.^[17]
• Jallo Wildlife Park – a 837-acre recreational park featuring aviaries, deer enclosures, and education facilities.^[18]
• Changa Manga Forest and Wildlife Park – one of the world's oldest hand-planted forests, incorporating a 40-acre wildlife park with eco-tourism amenities.^[19]
• Bansra Gali Wildlife Park – a hill park near Murree hosting Himalayan fauna.^[20]
• Lohi Bher Wildlife Park – suburban wildlife park in Rawalpindi serving conservation and recreation functions.^[21]

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Wildlife protection in Punjab is enforced through powers granted under the 1974 Act, enabling officers to conduct searches, inspections, and seizures of illegally kept wildlife or hunting gear. Violations can result in imprisonment, fines, or both. Repeat offenders may face licence cancellations and disqualification from future permissions. Enforcement teams also undertake routine patrols in collaboration with law enforcement agencies and the Punjab Rangers.^[26][27]

• Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries Department (Punjab)
• Wildlife of Pakistan
• National parks of Pakistan