Islamabad, August 15, 2024: During the “Pakistan Wildlife Protection Awards, 2024,” Romina Khursheed Alam, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change, reaffirmed Pakistan’s dedication to designating the snow leopard as an international symbol of high mountain ecology and climate adaptation.
This announcement underscores Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to address climate change and preserve its unique wildlife, as stated in a recent news release. The upcoming Conference of the Parties (COP29) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), scheduled for November 11-22, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan, offers a key platform to promote the snow leopard as a global icon of ecological resilience.
At the 8th Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP) steering committee meeting held in Samarkand in March 2024, members highlighted the snow leopard’s significance in high mountain ecosystems. The committee agreed to request the UN Secretary-General’s official recognition of the snow leopard as a symbol of climate adaptation.
Asia’s high mountain ranges, known as the “third pole of the Earth,” are warming twice as fast as the Northern Hemisphere, causing glacier melt and disrupting ecosystems in regions such as the Himalayas, Hindu Kush, and the Tibetan Plateau. Pakistan, with 80,000 square kilometers of snow leopard habitat, has seen glaciers retreat dramatically over the past two decades, impacting agriculture, water supplies, and wildlife.
Romina Khursheed Alam stressed the importance of national and international collaboration in combating climate change. “Climate change threatens our ecosystems and wildlife. We must strengthen conservation efforts and work together to mitigate these impacts,” she stated, adding that recognizing the snow leopard as a global symbol would elevate Pakistan’s image in sustainable development.
Dr. Muhammad Ali Nawaz, Director of the Snow Leopard Foundation, expressed gratitude for this recognition, emphasizing the need for transboundary conservation efforts. He highlighted Pakistan’s role in the GSLEP, a 12-nation alliance committed to snow leopard conservation.
Sardar Jamal Khan Leghari, GSLEP Emissary, and wildlife ambassador, supported the initiative, stating that it would bolster efforts to protect snow leopards and enhance Pakistan’s reputation in sustainable development. “Snow leopards symbolize healthy mountain ecosystems and climate resilience, providing essential ecosystem services to billions of people downstream,” he added.
Pakistan remains committed to its National Climate Change Policy, balancing economic growth with efforts to mitigate climate impacts and preserve biodiversity.
Source: APP/UrduPoint
