Senate body visits Trail-5 to commemorate World Wildlife Day

ISLAMABAD, March 03 (SABAH): Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change visited Trail-5 under the Chairpersonship of Senator Seeme Ezdi to commemorate ‘World Wildlife Day’.

The Senate Committee was welcomed by Chairperson Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) Rina Saeed Khan upon their arrival. Thereafter, the committee members along with enthusiastics school children participated in a walk to raise awareness about ‘World Wildlife Day’. Senator Seeme Ezdi in her message on ‘World Wildlife Day’ reiterated that “Wildlife plays a crucial role in sustaining our ecosystem and biodiversity and Government of Pakistan should create awareness and engage all stakeholders in their pursuit of preserving the valuable species for future generation”. 

Moreover, the Senate body was briefed by IWMB officials about their efforts and steps taken for the conservation of Margalla Hills National Park. Rina Saeed Khan, Chairperson IWMB, apprised the committee that IWMB is endeavouring to enhance partnership with corporate sector and civil society for preservation of wildlife.

She added that IWMB Act which empowers the Board is still pending and once it’s implemented, then Board will be able to raise finances by charging entry fee to visitors and imposing fine to public for littering.

Chairperson IWMB stated that “Fire Coordination Group”, a What’s app group, headed by Federal Minister for Climate Change has been created and all the relevant stakeholders have been made part of group for effective coordination and timely action.

Furthermore, the Senate Body suggested that IWMB should take necessary action against the domestication of wild animals. Senator Dr. Humayun Mohmand opined that domestication is detrimental to health and welfare of wild animals and it should be criminalised. Senate Committee lauded the efforts of leopard rangers and volunteers who were engaged in rescue operation of leopard.

The meeting was attended by Senator Taj Haider,Senator Abida Muhammad Azeem, Senator Khalida Ateeb, Senator Dr. Humayun Mohmand, Chairperson Islamabad Wildlife Management Board Rina Saeed Khan, Senior Joint Secretary Ministry of Climate Change (MoCC) Syed Mujtaba Hussain and other senior officers of relevant departments were also in attendance.