KATMANDU: Minister for Climate Change Zahid Hamid on Friday said that Global Change Impact Study Centre in P
akistan would provide full support to Snow Leopard Secret
ariat and range
countries with solid science to help interventions.
He said this while chairing a meeting of Global Snow Leopard Steering Committee held in Nepal amid presence of 12 snow leopard range
countries. P
akistan had been elected as chair for two years in March 2015. He emphasised pivoting role of communities that live in snow leopard habitat and highlighted that P
akistan has prepared new forest policy in consultation with provinces.
This inclu
des forestry, wildlife, bio-diversity, water and other important components. He said a Climate Change Council would be established under relevant Act in P
akistan which would be headed by the prime minister. Environment Minister of Kyrghizstan Rustamov invited the president and the prime minister of P
akistan for Global Snow Leopard Summit, scheduled to be held in Bishkek in September this year.
The prime minister’s focal person on climate change and Green P
akistan Programme, Inspector General Forests and other senior officials are attending the event from P
akistan. It merits mentioned here that Snow Leopard is a majestic and elusive animal found only in 12
countries including P
akistan. Its healthy population signifies a healthy climate.
The Bishk
ek Declaration was adopted by 12 range
countries during Snow Leopard Forum in October, 2013 under leadership of Kyrgyz president. To review and guide various elements of management and implementation of the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP), the second high level Steering Committee meeting is being organized in Kathmandu, Nepal.
The co-organizers are Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program Secretariat, Global Environment Facility, Snow Leopard Trust, United Nations Development Program and World Wildlife Fund.
