Chief Secretary urges WWF, govt to initiate rangeland management in Gilgit-Baltistan

Gilgit, January 24: (PR) The Chief Secretary, Government of Gilgit-Baltistan, Mr. Mohammad Younus Dagha, visited WWF-Pakistan, Gilgit office today, on January 23, 2014. The worthy Chief Secretary was briefed by WWF representatives about several areas of mutual interest including but not limited to environmental protection, nature conservation and climate risk reduction efforts of WWF in Gilgit-Baltistan. The CS while appreciating the efforts, asserted on furthering mutual cooperation and collaboration between WWF and Government of Gilgit-Baltistan for improved care and conservation of wild resources, climate induced disaster risk reduction and pasture / rangeland management in the region. He further emphasized over rigorous advancements in participatory management of national parks and suggested taking measures to make the District Conservation Committees even more effective at tehsil levels, to bolster conservation efforts further at grassroots level. Rangelands management was another priority area discussed in length during the briefing. The CS, suggested WWF to initiate rangeland management initiatives jointly with the government of GB.

During the visit, the Chief Secretary was also briefed about the ecological significance of Gilgit-Baltistan as a unique but fragile mountain ecosystem and WWF interventions in the region. The current and future priority areas were briefly shared and mutual areas of collaboration were identified for future co-working. The CS assured WWF of extending all possible support to legitimize and further strengthen environmental conservation programs in Gilgit-Baltistan.