Paris, November 08, 2015: Federal Minister for Climate Change Mr. Zahid Hamid has said that Government of Pakistan was fully committed to the objective of conservation of nature and was willing to play its role in a long term conservation strategy. He was speaking at an event organized by Global Snow Leopard Steering Committee in Paris, in his capacity as its Chairman. He appreciated the initiative of GSLSC Secretariat to organize the event. He said that the event is a timely reminder to strengthen the efforts to save the Snow Leopard from direct threats of poaching and retaliatory killing. He reminded that climate change is very real threat to the habitat of this magnificent animal and consequently to the cycle of Nature. Following is the text of the speech:
“It is an honour and a pleasure to be present here today as Minister for Climate Change, Government of Pakistan and Chairman, Global Snow Leopard Steering committee. I appreciate the initiative of the Global Snow Leopard Steering Committee (GSLSC) Secretariat to organized this event on the sidelines of 21st Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework convention on climate Change, known as COP-21. In my view, the timing of this event is significant because whereas our efforts to save the Snow Leopard were initially directed towards addressing the direct threats of poaching and retaliatory killing, we must not forget that climate change is also a very real threat to the habitat of this magnificent animal.
It is also satisfying to note that the Snow Leopard conservation programme is focused on protection of ecosystems, with emphasis on the people that inhabit the Snow Leopard range. The livestock of the people that live in the Snow Leopard habitat has to be given due attention and I am happy that the initiatives undertaken so far for Snow Leopard conservation have also kept in mind the needs and wishes of the local population, as this will remain the key to success of a long-term conservation strategy.
I am also happy to learn that the range countries (including Pakistan) have made budgetary allocations for Snow Leopard projects. It is my earnest hope that as a result of these efforts we will be able to secure not only the future of the majestic Snow Leopard which is a global heritage, but also by association, the future of our children”.
