Zubair Qureshi
Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) Athar Minallah in a short order directed all the departments concerned—Ministry of Climate Change and the Islamabad Wildlife department—to complete formalities regarding early shifting of the lone Asian elephant ‘Kaavan’ from Marghazar Zoo to elephants’ sanctuary in Cambodia.
The court has also issued the same directions regarding two Himalayan brown bears from the zoo to a sanctuary either in Bulgaria or Jordan, in accordance with the advice and recommendation of the international group for animals’ welfare Four Paws.
Chief Justice Athar Minallah in his order was all praise for the project director of Four Paws, internationally-recognized vet Dr Amir Khalil who is currently in Pakistan to supervise and assess the animals’ health and to make sure they are transferred to their foreign homes in good physical and mental condition. While commending Dr Amir Khalil for his assistance to the court, CJ Minallah remarked in his order, “The court records its appreciation for the assistance extended by Dr Amir Khalil and his organization. The affirmation by the present government and the Ministry of Climate Change is laudable.”
Syed Ali Raza Deputy Director (Law), Ministry of Climate Change informed the court that NOCs for export of these living creatures would be issued in at least three weeks time.
The chief justice observed that in the past, these living beings have been neglected, which has unnecessarily prolonged their pain and suffering. These living species deserve to be treated with compassion and care, remarked the judge.
The court also mentioned that IWMB chairman Dr Anisur Rehman has informed that arrangements are being made to relocate the living species to the appropriate sanctuaries. The two Himalayan bears have to be relocated at the earliest.
Likewise arrangements for moving Kaavan to the sanctuary in Cambodia are expected to be completed at the earliest, said the Chief Justice Athar Minallah in his order. Meanwhile, Mayor of Islamabad Sheikh Ansar Aziz on Wednesday visited the Marghazar Zoo and was briefed by Dr Amir Khalil about Kaavan’s health. Dr Khalil told the Mayor that Kaavan was doing great and a huge crate was under construction that could bear the weight of the 5,500-kg beast. The crate will be ready by October 8. Kaavan is behaving quite well, observed Mayor Ansar Aziz and fed the animal a couple of carrots and sugarcane. He also thanked Dr Amir and his team for taking care of other animals and supervising their shifting from Marghazar zoo to Ayub Park sanctuary.
