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PESHAWAR, Dec 16 (APP): A meeting on Khyber Pakutunkhwa (KP) Wildlife conservation was held under the chairmanship of Secretary Climate Change, Forest, Environment and Wildlife Department Junaid Khan.
During the meeting, Dr. Mohsin Farooq, Chief Conservator Wildlife KP, gave a concise yet comprehensive presentation on the performance, challenges and future direction of the KP Wildlife Department.
The meeting was attended by the Special Secretary, Additional Secretaries and Conservators from various Wildlife Divisions and formations.
Dr. Mohsin Farooq briefed the participants on the evolution, mandate and key achievements of the Wildlife Department, highlighting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s exceptional biodiversity and its global significance, including the world’s largest surviving populations of Kashmir Markhor and Western Tragopan.
He also shared progress on wildlife law enforcement, expansion and management of protected areas, community-based conservation initiatives, UNESCO-recognized Biosphere Reserves, and internationally acclaimed trophy hunting programmes that directly benefit local communities.
A central focus of the briefing was on proposed amendments in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife and Biodiversity Act, 2015, and various allied rules, aimed at aligning the legal framework with modern conservation needs, strengthening governance, and improving enforcement mechanisms.
Dr. Farooq emphasized that these reforms are essential to effectively respond to emerging conservation challenges, habitat degradation and wildlife trafficking.
Secretary Junaid Khan appreciated the Department’s performance and reaffirmed the provincial government’s full support for upgrading wildlife laws and regulations. He assured that all proposed amendments would be forwarded to the KP Law Department at the earliest for legal cover, and directed KP Wildlife to complete the necessary paperwork without delay.
He further assured the establishment of a Wildlife Development Fund, similar to the one successfully operating in the KP Forest Department, to ensure sustainable financing, strengthen field operations and enhance conservation outcomes.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthen wildlife conservation through robust legal reforms, institutional support and community participation, reinforcing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s role as a national and international leader in biodiversity protection.