A joint committee of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, the Snow Leopard Foundation (SLF), and provincial wildlife departments has announced the six winners of the Pakistan Wildlife Protection Awards 2024. This initiative, supported by the British government’s Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund (IWTCF), recognizes outstanding contributions to wildlife conservation across Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Sarmad Shafa, Range Forest Officer of the Gilgit-Baltistan Forest, Wildlife, and Environment Department, received the Snow Leopard Award in the national category. Faizan Dukhi, Range Forest Officer, and Kamaluddin, Wildlife Inspector of the same department, were honored with the Ibex Award and Blue Sheep Award, respectively, for their conservation efforts in Gilgit-Baltistan.
KP Wildlife Ranger Syed Mussadiq Ali Shah and Deputy Ranger Wildlife Zahid Ahmad were awarded the Markhor Award and Wolf Award, respectively. Jan Mohammad Nasir, Game Watcher of the Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries Department AJK, earned the Musk Deer Award.
Coordinator to the Prime Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Romina Khursheed Alam praised the winners for their dedication to wildlife conservation, emphasizing the importance of their work in maintaining biodiversity and ensuring future generations can enjoy Pakistan’s natural heritage.
Wildlife Ambassador Senator Sardar Jamal Khan Leghari highlighted the critical role of wildlife protection in maintaining healthy ecosystems, which support local communities through services like pollination, pest control, and soil fertility.
Ashiq Ahmad Khan, wildlife expert and senior committee member, stressed the significance of recognizing and rewarding the efforts of forest rangers, noting their essential role in protecting Pakistan’s forests and biodiversity.
Snow Leopard Foundation Director Dr. Mohammad Ali Nawaz underscored the importance of wildlife conservation in safeguarding the future, especially in the face of climate change.
