By Asim Shahzad
Nature and its preservation held a central place in the philosophy of the late H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan (may his soul rest in peace), who urged his people to leave the land better than they found it. His commitment to conservation extended beyond artificial boundaries, focusing instead on restoring and protecting natural habitats.
One of the key manifestations of this vision is the Deer Breeding Centre (DBC), established in 1997 under the H.H. Sheikh Zayed Wildlife Conservation Programme. Located next to the Abu Dhabi Palace in Rahim Yar Khan and spanning 5,500 acres, the Centre was designed to reintroduce and propagate endangered deer species, particularly the Chinkara gazelle, in suitable natural environments.
The breeding program at DBC began with the objective of raising a viable population of Chinkaras, which had declined significantly due to illegal hunting and poaching. Over the years, the Centre has created a secure, professionally managed environment that has not only protected the species from intrusions and hunting but also enabled its healthy growth in semi-wild conditions.
Following Sheikh Zayed’s directive, Deer Foundation International Pakistan (DFIP) and Human Welfare & Nature Conservation Society (HWNCS), in collaboration with the Government of Punjab and the Department of Private Affairs of His Highness, released the first batch of 400 Chinkaras into the Cholistan Desert, Rahim Yar Khan, in 2004.
Since then, a total of 3,407 Chinkaras have been successfully translocated to various provincial enclosures and natural habitats across Pakistan, contributing significantly to the restoration and conservation of this graceful species.
The ongoing efforts at DBC stand as a testament to Sheikh Zayed’s enduring legacy in wildlife conservation and environmental stewardship.
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