Pakistan Assures All Out Support For Snow Leopard Conservation

Fakhir Rizvi Published January 20, 2017 | 03:35 PM

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Jan, 2017 ) : Minister for Climate Change, Zahid Hamid on Friday said that Global Change Impact Study Centre in Pakistan would provide full support to Snow Leopard Secretariat and range countries with solid science to help interventions.

He said this while chairing a meeting of Global Snow Leopard Steering Committee held in Nepal amid presence of 12 snow leopard range countries. Pakistan had been elected as chair for two years in March 2015, said a message received here from Kathmandu, Nepal.

The minister emphasized pivoting role of communities that live in snow leopard habitat and highlighted that Pakistan has prepared new forest policy in consultation with provinces. This includes forestry, wildlife, bio-diversity, water and other important components.

He said a Climate Change Council would be established under relevant Act in Pakistan which would be headed by the prime minister. Minister for Environment of Kyrghizstan, Rustamov invited the prime minister and president of Pakistan for Global Snow Leopard Summit, scheduled to be held in Bishkek in September this year.

The prime minister's focal person on climate change and Green Pakistan Programme, Inspector General Forests and other senior officials are attending the event from Pakistan. It merits mentioned here that Snow Leopard is a majestic and elusive animal found only in 12 countries including Pakistan.

Its healthy population signifies a healthy climate. The Bishkek Declaration was adopted by 12 range countries during Snow Leopard Forum in October, 2013 under leadership of President Atambaev of Kyrgyzstan.

To review and guide various elements of management and implementation of the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP), the second high level Steering Committee meeting is being organized in Kathmandu, Nepal.

The co-organizers are Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program Secretariat, Global Environment Facility, Snow Leopard Trust, United Nations Development Program and World Wildlife Fund.