World Wildlife Day celebrations held in Islamabad to raise awareness on snow leopard conservation by engaging youth
At the World Wildlife Day celebrations held in Islamabad at FAST National University, the speakers urged for creating awareness on snow leopard conservation by engaging youth.
The event was jointly organized by Snow Leopard Foundation (SLF) and FAST National University in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Mr. Malik Amin Aslam Advisor to the Prime Minister on Climate Change was the chief guest at the occasion. The event was attended by diplomats, officials from government and non-government organizations and students. The Rector FAST-NU Dr. Muhammad Ayub Alvi was also present.
The Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic H.E. Mr. Erik Beishembiev in his remarks highlighted the importance of protecting snow leopards. He informed the guests about ecotourism promotion and an increasing number of tourists every year in the Kyrgyz Republic. He appreciated FAST-NUCES and the students for working on snow leopard conservation. The Ambassador also planted a tree in the campus. A documentary on Kyrgyz tourism screened on the occasion.
GenerationFAST Snow leopard mascot of FAST-NUCES was launched at the event. Lajpal Haider a student from GFSL informed that students from different faculties who are members of snow leopard mascot team are actively involved in snow leopard conservation with the guidance and partnership of SLF.
Malik Amin Aslam congratulated management and students of FAST National University for contributing in the conservation efforts and launching the Snow leopard mascot.
He emphasized on working collectively to tackle the challenges of climate change and its impacts on the ecosystems. He also shared measures taken by the present government to protect biodiversity and wildlife through ecotourism. Due to these efforts, Pakistan has been declared one of the top tourists’ destinations in 2020 by leading international tourism organizations and international media.
National Project Manager PSLEP Mr. Jaffar Ud Din presented the concept and objectives of summer nature study camps being organized by SLF for students. He informed that conservation education is one of the key components of SLF projects that are aimed at educating and capacity building of youth in snow leopard and ecosystem conservation in the project landscapes.
Talking about the role of youth in sustaining biodiversity and ecosystem conservation, Mr Aslam informed the guests that the Prime Minister Imran Khan will soon launch the Green Youth Movement (GYM) – designed and structured for capacity building of youth which one of the priorities of the current government.
The event was concluded with vote of thanks by Assistant Professor FAST-NUCES Mr. Muhammad Adil Amin Kazi.
SLF celebrated the World Wildlife Day at the national and regional level in its program region in Giglit Baltistan and Chitral KPK. All the events were celebrated under the theme “Sustaining all life on earth”.