Pakistan: LHC asks why Houbara Bustard removed from protected birds list

Lahore High Court Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah has asked the government of Pakistan's Punjab province why the Houbara Bustard has been removed from the protected birds list.

A report submitted by the provincial wildlife department said a survey conducted in December showed a reasonable increase in the Houbara Bustard population.

According to the Dawn, Chief Justice Shah asked the department's counsel for the criteria adopted to conduct the assessment survey on the bird. He asked the counsel as to whether the Punjab government had a dream at night to remove the Houbara Bustard from the protected birds list the next morning, adding that the survey hardly seemed reliable.

He was hearing identical petitions challenging the hunting permits issued recently to Qatari royal family members.

Representing a petitioner, Advocate Sheraz Zaka alleged that Houbara Bustard was fast becoming an endangered species and there was no department that could furnish statistics on the bird.

Chief Justice Shah adjourned hearing of the matter till March 3 and directed the government to submit reasons and grounds for removing the Houbara Bustard from the protected birds list.