Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Conservation Breeding Centre (CBC), Lal Suhanra National Park, Bahawalpur was established on 18th March 2015 by HFIP and Deer Foundation International Pakistan (DFIP) after signing an MOU with Government of Punjab, Forest Department.
CBC is one of its kind in Pakistan with an area of 147.5 Sq Km (4750 Hectare) which is fenced, guarded and fully equipped with all facilities required to fulfill its purpose. The main objective of this facility is to promote the breeding of Chinkara and Blackbucks in semi wild condition, carry out research on Houbara Bustard along with preservation of flora and fauna of Cholistan Desert.
Need for Conservation in Pakistan.
According to the WWF Pakistan chapter, a burgeoning population and ever expanding infrastructure needs has led to the decimation of animal habitats and forests, which resulted in loss and endangerment of animal and plant species in Pakistan. Other factors that add to the injury include climate change and disregard to the conservation of endangered species. In such a challenging condition, HFIP and DFIP rose to the occasion. Their efforts for conservation of the endangered species developed into the establishment of CBC which is worth praising and supporting.
The Centre is enclosed in an area secured by a 10 feet high chain link fence and is furnished with following state-of-the-art facilities included living accommodation for Officers, Veterinary Doctors, staff and 100 Guards, office and research Centre building, gueest house, RO Plant to provide water supply for the complete manpower, solar plant for electricity in all buildings, mosque, wildlife check post with staff and officer’s accommodation towards South of Enclosure for better control and security.
While it also have enclosure is duly guarded by security staff in 24 x Watch Towers: Each Tower has Security Guard Room (14’ x 14’) with Watch Tower over its roof, kitchen and a bathroom. Watch Towers are also provided with wireless sets (with solar chargers) for timely reporting of any information to the base. Besides observation from Watch Towers, Mobile Patrolling is carried out by composite teams of Wildlife Watchers and Security Guards along the fence during the night.
These wonderful animals are the main focus of the CBC. Fawns of Blackbuck and Chinkara are propagating which are sighted and photographed inside the Centre.
The research on Houbara Bustard is done inside the Enclosure The bloodline of Pakistan’s resident species of Houbara Bustard, bred in captivity in Abu Dhabi, are regularly released in the Enclosure. Few of these Houbara Bustards stay inside the CBC, which are available for research purposes by university students and other scientists.
