By Azam Tariq

China’s recent intensification of wildlife enforcement offers useful lessons for Pakistan as it grapples with illegal hunting, trafficking and habitat pressures, according to experts.

According to China Daily, China’s Ministry of Public Security has launched a new round of targeted crackdowns on wildlife-related crimes, focusing on illegal hunting with guns and drones, bird poisoning, and the online sale of protected species and related products.

In a 2025 campaign, police opened 9,705 criminal cases, including 3,562 involving birds. Authorities said they had linked more than 350 related cases, arrested over 950 suspects and dismantled 88 criminal gangs, reflecting a coordinated enforcement approach.

While China’s enforcement outcomes highlight strong institutional coordination, Pakistan continues to face systemic challenges in wildlife protection. WWF-Pakistan says the country serves as both a source and transit route for illegal wildlife trade. It reports that Pakistan’s wild parakeet populations—once widespread across Punjab, Sindh and Azad Kashmir—have declined significantly due to demand in the illegal pet trade, with four native species now locally endangered.

Speaking with Wealth Pakistan, Dr. Muhammad Awais Rasool, a wildlife ecology and conservation expert, said one of Pakistan’s key requirements is stronger real-time coordination among wildlife departments, police and customs authorities.

He said enforcement gaps could be reduced through a shared inter-agency mobile application enabling instant communication of sightings, seizures and intelligence alerts, supported by joint task forces and standard operating procedures. He noted that coordinated action improves response speed and strengthens enforcement credibility.

Dr. Rasool also stressed the importance of integrating technology into wildlife protection efforts. He said tools based on artificial intelligence, machine learning and the Internet of Things are being used in other countries to detect suspicious activity through cameras, drones and sensors.

He proposed practical measures including stricter seasonal protection of wetlands and migratory corridors, deployment of monitoring technologies, promotion of community-based conservation programmes, and development of a national coordination platform.

Additionally, Azan Karam, Conservation Officer at the World Pheasant Association Pakistan, emphasised the need for an integrated enforcement structure. He said isolated raids and combing operations are unlikely to deliver effective results unless provincial wildlife departments, police and customs authorities operate through a shared intelligence-based system.

He said such coordination should be supported by training workshops to enhance understanding of wildlife laws, smuggling hotspots and trafficking routes.

On technology use, Karam said Pakistan should combine advanced tools with cost-effective solutions for wider deployment. He cited devices such as AudioMoths for detecting gunshots, camera traps for monitoring biodiversity hotspots, and wildlife scanners at airports to curb illegal smuggling.

He also highlighted the role of citizen scientists, noting that many individuals already upload biodiversity observations on platforms such as eBird and iNaturalist. Improved coordination with such volunteers, he said, could strengthen early warning systems and expand monitoring coverage.

Karam further called for legal amendments to cover overlooked species, including insects involved in illegal trade, and recommended launching bird ringing programmes along key migratory flyways such as Chitral and the Sindh-Balochistan belt.

According to a study by the Snow Leopard Trust, Pakistan recorded 327 wildlife crime-related posts in 2020, while enforcement remains limited. Maximum penalties for poaching snow leopards are around PKR45,000 (approximately $160), significantly lower than black market values.

In contrast, recent Chinese judicial cases reflect stricter penalties. In one case reported by China Daily, a man surnamed Dong was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment and fined 30,000 yuan ($4,285) for capturing more than 880 birds, including yellow-breasted buntings, using glue nets.

Participants said that while China’s experience demonstrates the impact of coordinated enforcement and stricter penalties, Pakistan’s progress will depend on improving governance frameworks, strengthening inter-agency coordination, and adopting appropriate technologies to address wildlife crime effectively.

Credit: INP-WealthPk