A Saudi Prince yesterday called for stringent measures for the protection of environment and wildlife in the region.
Prince Bandar bin Saud Mohammed Al Saud, Director of Protected Areas at Saudi National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development (NCWCD), said the Arab-GCC region needs more stringent measures to protect the wildlife, especially the endangered Saker falcon threatened by extinction.
The Saudi Prince made this call at a one-day symposium here to discuss preventive measures to protect Saker falcon from extinction. The symposium, hosted by Environmental Research and Wildlife Agency (Erwda), was held on the sideline of the Big 3 Show, which includes Arab Hunting Show.
"We should have a comprehensive plan to cover all the GCC countries to educate the public on environmental conservation and wildlife protection. The member countries should also introduce stringent penalties and regulations to put an end to the destruction of the environment and wildlife."
He called for more breeding centres for falcons in the region.
Prince Bandar also called for deeper cooperation between the GCC countries and exchange of expertise in environment and wildlife fields. In his opening and welcome speech Mohammed Al Bowardi, Erwda's Managing Director, said Saker falcon has been a symbol of Arab falconry for centuries and has played an intrinsic role in the Arab culture and heritage.
"Currently it is estimated that 9,000 falcons are used for falconry. An estimated 3,000 wild Saker and Peregrine falcons are trapped and brought into the Gulf countries from China, Iran, Mongolia and Siberia."
He added that today Saker falcon is in a perilous situation and is fighting a grim battle for its survival in the wild.
"Thers is an 80 per cent decline in Saker falcon population. If we understand the gravity of the situation it can still be effectively conserved. Today conservation concerns for the Saker falcon is one such urgent ecological issue to which we should give utmost importance."
The symposium was attended by a number of local, regional and international experts presenting working papers and research studies.
Brigadier Mukhtar Ahmed President of the WWF in Pakistan, in his paper, also raised similar grievances. He said Saker falcon is also on the decline in Pakistan. Taking note of the situation, he added, the Government of Pakistan has directed provincial governments not to allow trapping of the falcon forthwith.
"So far only a limited quota was being allocated to the foreign dignitaries from Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar for export after approval by the competent authority. Even this limited quota is being reduced at the rate of 10 per cent annually."
Meanwhile, Emirates Falconers Club (EFC) announced its recent joining of the Belgium-based International Association for Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey (IAF).
IAF is a non-profit making organisation, founded in 1968 as a federation of falconry.
Patrick Morel, President of the IAF, who is also participating in the symposium, said it is a positive initiative on part of the EFC to join the international organisation.
He called upon other such organisations in the Gulf region to join IAF to help protect endangered wildlife species such as the Saker from extinction.
Gulf News
