WWF-Pakistan and GB Forest, Wildlife Parks and Environment Department sign LoA

GILGIT, Apr 03 (APP):The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-Pakistan and the Forest, Wildlife, Parks and Environment Department Gilgit-Baltistan have signed a Letter of Agreement (LoA) to further strengthen their long-standing partnership in environmental conservation and sustainable development.

Syed Abul Waheed Shah, Secretary, Forest, Wildlife, Parks and Environment Department, and Rab Nawaz, Senior Program Director, WWF-Pakistan on behalf of the Director General, WWF-Pakistan signed the LoA during a ceremony held in Gilgit on Friday.

The ceremony was attended by senior officials, including Sheikh Inayatullah, Deputy Secretary (Forest and Wildlife); Dr. Zakir Hussain, Chief Conservator Wildlife; Mehmood Ghaznavi, Chief Conservator Forest; Ali Jabbar, Deputy Chief (Planning); Khadim Hussain, Director GB-EPA; along with representatives from WWF-Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing emerging environmental challenges in Gilgit-Baltistan, a region of critical ecological significance. He appreciated WWF-Pakistan’s continued support and reaffirmed the department’s commitment to strengthening institutional partnerships.

Rab Nawaz, Senior Program Director, WWF-Pakistan, emphasized the organization’s commitment to working closely with the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan to promote nature-based solutions, climate resilience, and sustainable resource management in the region.

To ensure effective coordination and implementation of joint initiatives, Mr. Haider Raza, Director North, WWF-Pakistan, and Dr. Zakir Hussain, Chief Conservator Wildlife, have been nominated as focal persons for future collaboration.

According to Nisar Ahmed Manager Communications, WWF-Pakistan, both parties also expressed their intent to further formalize and expand this partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for broader and long-term cooperation.