Punjab has made it mandatory to register pet parrots, leading to a surge in applications from bird owners. The new regulation, introduced by the provincial Wildlife Department, requires owners to pay an annual fee of Rs1,000 per parrot.
While some bird enthusiasts were surprised, many welcomed the move as a measure to protect their pets. Zainab Khan, a Lahore student, said registering her rose-ringed parakeet “Mian Mithu” gives her peace of mind, reducing fears of crackdowns on illegally captured wild birds. Similarly, Naseem Akhtar described her parrots as family members, noting their ability to mimic voices.
Young hobbyist Arbaz Khan, who keeps macaws and rose-ringed parakeets, highlighted that while the hobby is longstanding, the regulatory environment has now changed significantly.
Parrots hold cultural significance in South Asia, and Pakistan is home to native species such as Alexandrine, rose-ringed, plum-headed, and slaty-headed parakeets. The rose-ringed parakeet remains the most popular pet. Punjab Wildlife officials noted that wild populations are declining, prompting mandatory registration of captive birds. Registrations are processed via a departmental mobile app, though many citizens have requested a parallel manual system due to technical issues.
Additional Chief Wildlife Ranger Syed Kamran Bukhari said the policy aims to determine the actual number of pet parrots and curb illegal capture of wild birds. Registered birds will be inspected and tagged with identification rings. In future, households may need to register as licensed breeders or dealers, with buying and selling restricted to registered traders.
Within the first two weeks of the policy, over 1,000 registration applications have already been submitted.
In recent announcements, it was made complusory that Parrot Owners in Punjab Must Now Pay a Rs1,000 Registration Fee
