On Wednesday, the Punjab cabinet authorized the private ownership of tigers, lions, cheetahs, pumas, and jaguars, subject to strict conditions.
The Department of Forests submitted a four-point agenda during a cabinet meeting, which included the approval.
The Wildlife Act controlled the keeping of these creatures for the first time, and it currently requires possession licenses that are issued directly by the Wildlife Department.
“We have set minimum standards for keeping these animals in private homes and introduced a licensing fee of Rs50,000 per animal,” a Punjab Cabinet spokesperson said.
The animals must be kept outside of cities, and there is a deadline for moving them there, under the updated regulations. Those who violate these rules risk having their first information reports (FIRs) registered.
Additionally, the transportation of forest products from sunset to morning was forbidden by the revised Punjab Forest Transit Rules.
In order to implement these regulations, checkpoints would be placed at strategic locations. The new structure gave forest officers the authority to shut down depots and punish infractions.
“The revised regulations ensure stricter oversight and protection of wildlife while maintaining control over forest resources,” the spokeswoman continued.
