They are shy, rare bird breed, the size of a chicken – and hunting them is officially banned in Pakistan. But it is no holds barred when Arab royals begin their Houbara bustard hunting trips.

Balochistan, the largest province of Pakistan, is a natural habitat for a variety of species. From its mighty mountains to the scenic beaches, it offers a home to the discursive species of the world. It has a land patch which is highly suitable for the migratory birds.

In these migratory species, the Houbara bustard known as migratory specie of Pakistan is also termed as African Houbara. It is a large bustard native to North Africa, where it lives in arid habitats. Every season, the birds migrate from the freezing Siberia to Balochistan, which is why it has become the center of attraction for Arab hunting admirers.

The Houbara bustard has started to migrate from the Central Asian Countries in the chilled winter season to the deserts of Balochistan. Breeding population of Houbara bustard are found in the remote areas of Balochistan province including Nag valley, Chagai and Kharan. The Species then trek to Sindh and Punjab to spend their winter.By the illegal trade and over hunting the bird specie faces a high risk of extinction in Pakistan.

The land of Balochistan is becoming the center of attraction and attention for the Arab hunting fans. Arabs feel inclined to hunt more and more Houbara bustard.Pakistan’s Supreme Court has put a permanent ban on the hunting of this medium size bird especially for the Arabs, But Arabs still travel each season to hunt these birds in bulk because they are of the belief that consuming these birds would provide us health benefits.

Human beings are the greatest threat to the survival of species through poaching, habitat destruction and climate change. Unfortunately the Houbara bustard is not only in the category of specie but the other animals are also under the threat by human activities.

Government should enforce international conventions on conservation, and it must protect the birds and other rare animals as well before it is too late. It has to come up with policies that not only ban hunting completely but also provide a solution to give protection to the Houbara bustard. Houbara bustard habitats should be given the status of protected areas, involvement of local community which is an essential part of a successful biodiversity conservation campaign. Therefore, the awareness to the local people should be given. Hunting should be restricted to biologically sustainable levels in order to avoid over exploitation.

These precious birds are our guests and we must welcome them with the undisturbed habitat. Dear humans! Planet earth is equally shared by humans and other species. “Live and let other lives.”