June 19, 2008	Thursday	Jamadi-us-Sani 14, 1429

HUNZA, June 18: A joint committee has been formed to find out ways for possible collaboration between Khunjerab National Park in Gilgit-Baltistan and Taxkorgan Natural Reserve of China.

The decision was taken at a meeting held at Kashghar between officials from Northern Areas, ministry of environment, WWF, UNDP, AKDN and ICIMOD, and representatives from China.

The officials discussed the potential of natural reserves and socio-economic aspects of communities living on both sides of the border in order to exploit these for the development in the region. The participants also agreed to develop tourism between Kashghar and Gilgit.

The newly-formed committee will be chaired by Aashiq Ahmed, special adviser WWF, and will be co-chaired by a Chinese official. The committee will hold a joint meeting in October in Gilgit.