Waterfowl hunting restricted to three days a week

PESHAWAR: The Wildlife Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has restricted waterfowl hunting to three days a week as part of comprehensive conservation regulations for the 2026–27 hunting season aimed at protecting migratory birds and their habitats.

Latif Ur Rehman, spokesperson for the Climate Change, Forestry, Environment and Wildlife Department, KP, said under an official notification issued by Chief Conservator of Wildlife Dr Mohsin Farooq, waterfowl hunting will be permitted only until December 31, 2026, and strictly in accordance with the prescribed terms and conditions.

Under the new regulations, legal waterfowl hunting will be allowed only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with hunters required to possess a valid Small Game Shooting Licence.

The department has also declared 53 important wetlands, wildlife areas and ecologically sensitive habitats across the province completely closed to hunting, reinforcing its efforts to protect migratory species and their natural habitats.

He said migratory waterfowl undertake long journeys across vast distances and international boundaries every autumn and winter before arriving in the rivers, lakes, reservoirs, wetlands and other natural habitats of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The specified waterfowl species covered by the regulations include Northern Pintail, Common Teal, Mallard, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon, Garganey, Shoveler, Common Pochard, White-eyed Pochard, Tufted Duck, Eurasian Coot, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Eastern Golden Plover, Eurasian Curlew and Snipe.

Their hunting will be allowed only in accordance with the prescribed legal procedure and within the limits set by the Wildlife Department.

As part of the conservation regime, 53 locations across the province have been declared completely closed to waterfowl hunting. These include major dams, lakes, river stretches, game reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, conservancies, wetlands and other sensitive natural habitats.

Among the designated no-hunting areas are Tanda Dam in Kohat; Sharkai Dam, Teri and Zebdi Dam in Karak; Ghol Dam, Latamber Dam and Changhoz Dam; Manda Dam in Lower Kurram; Mali Khel Dam in Upper Kurram; Shin Kach Dam in Upper South Waziristan; Spin Dam, Gandi Ali Dam, Ghrozandi Dam and Darmalik Dam in Kohat; Warsak Dam and its catchment area; Jarboba Dam in Khyber; Kundar Dam in Kohat; Mohmand Dam; Basha Dam in Kohistan; designated stretches of the Indus River; Pezu Dam in Lakki Marwat; Raghan Dam and Tali Dam in Bajaur; Koto Hydropower Project Dam; Saldagai Lake in Upper Dir; Talao Lake Zakhana; Banshah Lake in Lower Dir; Dawa Toi Nullah in Upper South Waziristan; Ansoo Lake in Naran; Shandur Lake in Upper Chitral; designated sections of Shisham and river valleys; Chashma Lake; specified areas of the Indus Game Reserve; Kurram River; Tochi River; Mailward Dam and Dubair Khwar, among other ecologically sensitive areas.

The notification also places several stretches of major waterways, including the Swat, Panjkora, Chitral and Indus rivers, outside the scope of hunting.

Protected areas including Kabalgram Game Reserve, Mankiyal Conservancy, Kalam Conservancy, Bashar Gol Biosphere Reserve, Tirich Koh Conservancy and Gomal Zam Conservancy have likewise been declared exempt from hunting.

A valid Small Game Shooting Licence is mandatory for waterfowl hunters. No special permit for waterfowl hunting will be issued to anyone who does not hold a valid shooting licence.

The annual fee for a Small Game Shooting Licence has been fixed at Rs5,000, while the Special Duck Hunting Fee is Rs100 per day per gun.

A strict daily bag limit of five ducks per gun has also been prescribed, and hunters will not be permitted to exceed the limit.

The department has further imposed restrictions on hunting hours. Waterfowl hunting will not be permitted before first light, and all hunting activities must cease before sunset. Hunting after sunset is strictly prohibited.

The use of electronic devices for hunting waterfowl has also been banned. Hunters are not allowed to imitate bird calls or use call birds to attract migratory waterfowl.

The Wildlife Department has directed its field formations to take immediate legal action against violations of the notified regulations.

Anyone found hunting in any of the 53 areas declared closed to hunting will face action under the relevant wildlife laws.

Legal proceedings will be initiated under the relevant provisions of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife and Biodiversity (Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Management) Act, 2015, as well as other applicable rules and government notifications.

The department has clarified that possession of a hunting licence does not grant unrestricted permission to hunt.

A fee of Rs2,000 per Greyhound dog and Rs800 per Pointer dog, per dog, will also apply subject to the prescribed approval. Where wildlife is harmed or prescribed hunting limits are exceeded, fines, compensation and other legal measures may be imposed in accordance with the law and relevant government orders.