Houbaras Hunting in Balochistan

; Tariq Jamaldini

The season of winter is knocking at the doors of Balochistan and bringing a hope for the land which has been facing a fierce drought for the last four years. The land is a magnet for the migratory birds travel from frozen siberia to here to find a little bit hot place for their survival. But the life is not loyal to them here, as they shoot by the barrel of a hunter. Hunters are wealthy Arabs and the victim is off course ,the# houbara bustard.

Balochistan has been a heaven for the traveling birds. Thousands to millions birds come here as the winter begins. Birds are: ducks, cranes, gooses,Sandgrouses and houbaras.Zanginawar is a well-known lake for the travelling birds .The lake is extended 6 t0 7 kms long and almost as deep as 70 feets.It is also a breeding place for the birds, the plantation in the water provides a sound environment for them to multiply their generation. But they are subtracted by the fierce hunting of the affluents .The MPs, MNs use boats and sophisticated weapons to chase them. Beyond these waters in the surroundings ,a game is also played to chase the houbara, a rare bird, which is on the verge of extinction .The players are Arabs.

These sheiks travel  kilometers far to reach here, as the season of houbara starts from November of 15 and continue to the end of March. They spend millions of rupees for their adventures. The safari begins with the planes, land rovers and landcruisers in the deserts. The caravan aided by the security personals, intelligence officers , Local security by tribal –chiefs’ included.One kind of bazar is decorated in the deserts. The region where they install their camps is. Totally cordoned off.

Then the chasing of houbara begins in the grasslands and sands.

The Arabs have made loyal friends for protection of their outlawed hunting. They are ministers, government officers. Too, srdars, Meers (the tribal elders) are their fellows. It is not wrong to say that, actually, “they are the friends of money”. They manage permits, land and protection for hunters. A new trend is also begun for attracting the Arab Sheiks' attention,advirtisments in the local newspapers,for example ,one ad describes  that” we welcome his highness in Chaghi,” the Rich district of Balochistan in terms of minearals.In reward their fellows get cash, return tickets of  the Gulf countries and worthy gifts. A special quota for haj is also allocated for the loyals. Some Sheiks and their Tribal comrades had been arrested a year ago ,when they were travelling without any Authorized permits.

Moreover the Arabs have mouthpieces in the region as they are famous in the name of prince, sheiks etc. They Are responsible to manage the safari, and deal with local population. Locals also get money from them, if they catch a houbara bustard or a Falcon. The sum goes up to 1000U$ for houbara and2000to 4000US$ for Falcon.Falcon is famous for  houbara's hunting.The method is known as falconry.

Other methods are also used for hunting. using of falcons leave a small chance for houbara to survive. Shotguns are more common tools for huntinging ,both by Arabs and locals. Some locals hunt  using a camel, as houbara is thought to be a camel's friend. But the techno-equipped sheiks Do not let any chance for the houbara to survive. The using of Gps and other sophiscated tools made hunting so easy.

Besides all atrocities,The savageness of these Arabs expressed in the region of ” Nag-rakshan",a district of Kharan, Baluchistan, as they took the eggs and small offsprings of houbaras. The district surroundings provide a better breeding ground for houbara to multiply their generation. But who cares for the protection of these savannas; The Arabs? who have to get the houbara by any and every means, as  they believe that houbara meat raises the human desire of sex, or those officials? who have to earn money by any means, legally or illegally.