WWF-Pakistan hosted a prestigious awards ceremony in Islamabad to recognize five exceptional individuals, who were honored for their significant efforts in protecting Pakistan’s natural heritage and promoting sustainable environmental practices.
Recognizing the Unsung Heroes of Conservation
The ceremony, a celebration of environmental champions, saw the presentation of several key awards, each highlighting unique achievements in the field of conservation.
🌿🏆 The winners were:
- Syed Asad Ali Conservation Award: Muhammad Idrees Nauman, Wildlife and Fisheries Department, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, for rescuing a female common leopard stranded 300 feet in a tree.
- T.J. Roberts Conservation Award: Rizwana Aziz, Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department, for her efforts in combatting illegal poaching, strengthening enforcement measures, and raising awareness for wildlife conservation in Punjab.
- George Schaller Conservation Award: Sana Raja, Islamabad Wildlife Management Board, for rescuing and rehabilitating endangered species, including common leopards.
- Herbion Nature Conservation Award (Inaugural Year): Dr. Farooq Ahmad, Punjab Agriculture Department, for his work in wetland restoration and biodiversity conservation in the Salt Range region, protecting over 60,000 acres of land.
- Al-Mizan Award for Environmental Justice: Raja Waseem Ahmed, environmental activist, for his legal advocacy in Kahoon Valley, District Chakwal, to protect local groundwater and biodiversity.
Leadership and Commitment to Conservation
During the ceremony, Ahmer Bilal Sufi praised the recipients, emphasizing the importance of legal advocacy in achieving long-term conservation goals. “Through these awards, we honor the individuals who have shown compassion towards conservation. Their selfless acts inspire not only us but the entire country,” he remarked.
Syed Rizwan Mehboob, Chairman of the Scientific Committee and Board Member of WWF-Pakistan, also commended the awardees for their tireless dedication, saying: “I admire the dedication of these unsung heroes and firmly believe in the vital role that these conservationists play in advancing WWF-Pakistan’s mission to protect the natural world”.
Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General of WWF-Pakistan, concluded the event by acknowledging the recipients as true champions of environmental conservation. “Their efforts embody the core values of WWF-Pakistan,” Khan said. “Their passion and persistence inspire change and ensure a brighter, more sustainable future for the generations to come.”
The awards ceremony ended with a call for increased cooperation and innovative solutions to protect Pakistan’s rich biodiversity. By honoring these environmental heroes, WWF-Pakistan aims not only to celebrate past achievements but also to inspire future generations to continue the critical work of conservation.