Experts call for conservation of snow leopard, markhor for ecological balance

RAWALPINDI: Climate and wildlife experts have called for stronger protection of biodiversity and endangered species, including the markhor and snow leopard, during a national event marking International Day for Biological Diversity and Markhor Day in Rawalpindi. The event, jointly organised by the Snow Leopard Foundation, the Ministry of Climate Change and Fatima Jinnah Women University, brought together students, academics and government officials to highlight environmental challenges and conservation efforts. Speaking at the event, Director Biodiversity at the Ministry of Climate Change Nadeem Ashraf Raja stressed the need to protect Pakistan’s glaciers, forests and mountain ecosystems, warning that climate pressure was threatening fragile wildlife habitats. Former Inspector General at the Ministry of Climate Change, Dr Syed Mahmood Nasir, said the conservation of rare species such as the snow leopard and markhor was critical for environmental balance and future generations. “Wildlife conservation is essentially the protection of nature and human survival,” he said. Snow Leopard Foundation Board Member Amna Zuberi said that the organisation had for the first time used camera trapping and genetic analysis to scientifically estimate snow leopard populations in Pakistan. The event also featured an e-poster competition in which students presented research on illegal hunting, wildlife trade, climate change and markhor conservation. At the conclusion of the event, shields and certificates were distributed among participants, with speakers stressing that biodiversity conservation was essential for both environmental stability and future sustainability. The post Experts call for conservation of snow leopard, markhor for ecological balance appeared first on HUM News English.