The Punjab Wildlife & Parks Department () 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.

History 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.

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.

Legal framework 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.

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.

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.

Functions 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.

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.

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.

Organisation 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).

Subordinate institutions

Zoos, safari and wildlife parks Lahore Zoo Safari (Raiwind Road) – the department's flagship safari zoo complex featuring open enclosures, breeding units, and an aquarium under development. Jallo Wildlife Park – a 837-acre recreational park featuring aviaries, deer enclosures, and education facilities. 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. Bansra Gali Wildlife Park – a hill park near Murree hosting Himalayan fauna. Lohi Bher Wildlife Park – suburban wildlife park in Rawalpindi serving conservation and recreation functions.

Breeding centres + Wildlife breeding centres (Punjab Wildlife & Parks Department) Centre District Area (acres) Bhagat Breeding Centre Toba Tek Singh 15 Changa Manga Breeding Centre Kasur 40 Fatehpur Breeding Centre Layyah 12.5 Gatwala Breeding Centre Faisalabad 25 Jallo Breeding Centre Lahore 43 Jhang Breeding Centre Jhang 25 Jauharabad Breeding Centre Khushab 58 Kamalia Breeding Centre Toba Tek Singh 15 Mini Zoo (breeding) Bhakkar 15 Pirowal Breeding Centre Khanewal 42 Pirowal Breeding Estate Khanewal (Pirowal) 1,024 Rahim Yar Khan Breeding Centre Rahim Yar Khan 15 Sulemanki Breeding Centre Okara 29

Wildlife sanctuaries + Notified wildlife sanctuaries (selection) Sanctuary District(s) Area (acres) Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary Bahawalpur 168 Jalalpur Sharif Jhelum 5,591 Chumbi Surla Chakwal; Jhelum 12,180 Sodhi Khushab 14,375 Khanpur Muzaffargarh 31,555 Rakh & Jhang Branch Canal’s Bank Hafizabad 1,759.86 Qadirabad Link Canal Bank Hafizabad 3,998.87 Amb Khushab 8,003 Noorpur Chakwal 15,190 Dalwal Reserve Forest Chakwal 10,009 Head Marala Sialkot 1,576 Taunsa Barrage Muzaffargarh; Dera Ghazi Khan; Layyah 61,635

Public wildlife reserves + Public Wildlife Reserves (selection) Public Wildlife Reserve District(s) Area (acres) Cholistan PWR Bahawalpur; Bahawalnagar; Rahim Yar Khan 18,827 Abbasia PWR Rahim Yar Khan 24,874 Thal PWR Muzaffargarh; Jhang; Khushab; Layyah; Bhakkar; Mianwali 10,000 Kundian PWR Mianwali 19,274 Bajwat PWR Sialkot 14,319 Daphar PWR Mandi Bahauddin 7,126 Head Qadirabad PWR Gujranwala 5,654 Rasool Barrage PWR Mandi Bahauddin; Jhelum 2,812 Chichawatni PWR Sahiwal 11,531.7 Kamalia PWR Toba Tek Singh 10,866 Pirowal PWR Khanewal 4,896

Wildlife wetlands + Notified wildlife wetlands Wetland District Area (acres) Namal Lake Wildlife Wetland Mianwali 13,136.06

Enforcement and prosecutions 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.

See also Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries department Wildlife of Pakistan National parks of Pakistan

References