Flamingos’ killing at Islamabad’s Rawal Lake raises alarm

ISLAMABAD: A flock of flamingos resting at Rawal Lake was hunted down by poachers with the help of locals, raising concerns among environmentalists. “We also have evidence that poachers also killed other medium-sized water birds such as the magnificent coots and moorhens,” said an official of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB). Most of the IWMB staff was engaged with seasonal firefighting efforts in the Margalla Hills National Park, the official said, adding that “poachers took advantage of our absence to hunt the birds. About 12 to 13 flamingos were allegedly killed but we are still ascertaining the correct numbers”. A report of the incident has been submitted with the assistant commissioner Islamabad. Incident being investigated; report submitted with assistant commissioner “The police are cooperating with the board and a first information report (FIR) will be registered after further investigations are complete,” the IWMB said. According to the management board, the incident occurred on June 3, and was reported by a bird photographer. The IWMB said sighting of flamingos in Rawal Lake was rare in this season, calling their killing an ecological tragedy. “It was after many years that flamingos had been sighted in Rawal Lake. But the excitement was cut short when poachers along with locals hunted the flock, and forced the surviving birds to escape,” the official said. After inquiries, the IWMB suspected the contractor who has commercial fishing rights for Rawal Lake. According to a social media post about the incident shared with Dawn, the birds, circled around the lake but whenever they tried to land they were followed and shots were fired at them. The surviving birds took flight again and did not return. The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board said it had collected enough evidence, including discharged cartridge, to register a complaint with the police. “The assistant commissioner had visited our office recently and extended complete support of the law