JAISALMER: In winter, thousands of Houbara birds from cold countries come to the desert areas in Pakistan opposite the international border adjoining Jaisalmer-Bikaner without any inkling of the danger that lurks in the area. Teams of royals from the Arab countries camp here and hunt these birds. Since any type of firing near the international border is a violation of norms, the BSF had earlier sent a protest note to Pakistani Rangers. On Monday, a meeting was held with Pakistani rangers in Attari on the issue.

Even last month the issue was raised by BSF at the Indo-Pak DIG level border meeting held at Munabao.

Sources say members of the royal family hunt these birds with the help of dozens of specially-trained falcons. They are especially active at the international border adjoining Jaisalmer and Bikaner. SUVs equipped with modern communication gadgets chasing Houbara birds is a common sight.

For 2012-13, the Pakistan government has issued 12 permits for around 815 trained hunting falcons. It includes two permits for 135 falcons for the royal family of Saudi Arabia, five permits for 200 falcons for Bahrain’s royal family, two permits for 250 falcons for UAE and three permits for 230 falcons for royal families of Qatar. The Pakistan government has given most of the hunting permits to the royalty and allotted them different desert areas for it. Each permit allows 100 birds to be hunted.

Sources say, these days Sheikh Abdula Bin Salem Al Khalifa, a royal from Bahrain is camping with trained falcons at Bahawalpur area in Pakistan opposite Nachna in Jaisalmer. Similarly, in the Shakhar and Sangad areas of Pakistan, UAE Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Jaiyad Al Nelyan and Sheikh Sultan Bin Jaiyad Al Neyan are camping.

The royals pay the Pakistan government millions of dollars to let them hunt the bird as its meat is delicious and is an aphrodisiac.

Last week, too, firing was heard near the international border opposite Nachna in Jaisalmer. A few days ago, there was firing in the area adjoining Shahgarh Bulj. After these incidents, the BSF sent a protest note to Pakistani rangers.

On November 7, in a bilateral meeting held at DIG level at Munabao the issue of firing near the international border was raised. Deputy director of Pakistani rangers had assured then that such incidents will not be repeated. But still the firing continues.