A joint committee of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MOCC&EC), the Snow Leopard Foundation Pakistan (SLF), and provincial wildlife departments here on Saturday announced the six winners of the Pakistan Wildlife Protection Awards 2024.
The announcement recognizes outstanding contributions to wildlife conservation across Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The initiative is supported by the British government’s Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund (IWTCF), a news release said.
Sarmad Shafa, Range Forest Officer of the Gilgit-Baltistan Forest, Wildlife & Environment Department won the Snow Leopard Award in the national category. Faizan Dukhi, Range Forest Officer, and Kamaluddin, Wildlife Inspector, of the Gilgit-Baltistan Forest, Wildlife & Environment Department win the Ibex Award and the Blue Sheep Award for their conservation and protection efforts in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Two seasoned officers of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Department, the Wildlife Ranger Syed Mussadiq Ali Shah, and the Deputy Ranger Wildlife Zahid Ahmad were declared winners of the Markhor Award and the Wolf Award respectively.
The Musk Deer Award is earned by Jan Muhammad Nasir, Game Watcher, Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries Department AJK.
The Coordinator to the Prime Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Romina Khursheed Alam, praised the winners for their invaluable contributions. “These awards are a testament to the dedication and hard work of individuals and organizations who are at the forefront of wildlife conservation in Pakistan. Their efforts are crucial in maintaining biodiversity and ensuring that future generations can enjoy the natural heritage of our country.”