STAFF REPORT ISB: Judicious use of natural resources including wildlife can do miracles to overcome environmental and climate change problems, said Ambassador of South Korea Dr. Song Hong Hwan while addressing a function at the Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH) in connection with the World Wildlife Day celebrations.
PMNH in collaboration with Ministry of Science and Technology, PSF, Ministry of Climate Change, US Embassy and Snow Leopard Foundation arranged different activities to celebrate the World Wildlife Day in order to raise awareness among masses about the benefits that conservation provides to people. A large number of students, teachers and scientists from different organizations attended the celebrations.
The Korean Ambassador, who was the chief guest on this occasion, said it is his dream to see Indus River miracle by protection of this vital source of sustained life. He said that a slight change creates large effect on the whole ecosystem as there are interactive effects of different living things. “If is the ecosystem is balanced and sustained, our life is sustained,” he commented.
He appreciated PMNH team for organizing such an important event to sensitize people on wildlife conservation.
The theme for the year 2016 is “The future of wildlife is in our hands” which reinforces the inextricable link between wildlife, people and sustainable development. It is the responsibility of each generation to safeguard wildlife for the following generation. It also imparts the pressing need for national action to ensure the survival in the wild of both charismatic and lesser known species, the diplomat said.
At the same time, the Day reminds us of the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime, which has wide-ranging economic, environmental and social impacts.
Syed Mehmood Nasir, I.G. Forests, Ministry of Climate Change, Christopher from US Embassy, PMNH Director General Dr. M.K. Leghari and other dignitaries were present on this occasion.
He also said that there are many ways to protect wildlife in our community, the country, and the world. First of all, there are many parks and reserves available for indigenous life to find sanctuary from human expansion.
Chairman Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ashraf, while addressing the event, said that they have to protect their wildlife to overcome the issues of food security, water scarcity and climate change as their future hinges on these natural resources for a sustained life.
He quoted the example of South Korea which is making good use of natural resources. He said that country is very neat and tidy as flowers and vegetables can be seen grown even along roads but in Pakistan the fertile lands are lying barren.
Earlier, Dr. M. Ali Nawaz, Country Director, Snow Leopard Foundation, talking about importance of the day, said that the World Wildlife Day is celebrated to sensitize the world community on dangers to wildlife and efforts for its conservation. He highlighted some of the dangers to wildlife such as deforestation, poaching and hunting. He said that it is their collective duty to make collaborative efforts against illegal trade of wildlife and they should totally reject it.
On the occasion, students presented a tableau on wildlife hunting. A documentary was also screened to highlight wildlife around us. An awareness session with future defenders of wildlife, open discussion with wildlife experts and interactive question answer session as well as “Commitment Wall” signing with messages and photographs to support the wildlife conservation cause by different dignitaries and participants were also part of the Wildlife Day celebrations at the PMNH.