ISLAMABAD: The members of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change on Friday visited Trail 5 to commemorate the World Wildlife Day.

The Senate committee members were welcomed by Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) Chairperson Rina Saeed Khan upon their arrival, says an official handout issued by the Senate Secretariat.

The committee members joined schoolchildren to participate in a walk to raise awareness about the World Wildlife Day.

Chairperson of the Senate committee Senator Seeme Ezdi in her message on the occasion reiterated that “wildlife plays a crucial role in sustaining our ecosystem and biodiversity and the Pakistan government should create awareness and engage all stakeholders in their pursuit of preserving the valuable species for future generation.”

During the visit, the Senate committee members were briefed by the IWMB officials about their efforts and steps taken for the conservation of Margalla Hills National Park.

Rina Saeed Khan apprised the committee members that the board was endeavouring to enhance partnership with corporate sector and civil society for preservation of wildlife.

She added that the IWMB Act which empowered the board was still pending and once it was implemented, the Board would be able to raise finances by charging entry fee to visitors and imposing fine to public for littering.

Deliberating upon the precautionary measures taken by the IWMB for the coming fire season, the board’s chairperson stated that a WhatsApp group headed by Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman had been created and all the relevant stakeholders had been made part of the group named Fire Coordination Group for effective coordination and timely action.

The Senate committee suggested that the IWMB should take necessary action against the domestication of wild animals.

Senator Dr Humayun Mohmand opined that domestication was detrimental to health and welfare of wild animals and it should be criminalised.

The Senate committee lauded the efforts of Rangers and volunteers who were engaged in rescue operation of leopard.

The meeting was attended by senators Taj Haider, Abida Mohammad Azeem, Khalida Ateeb, Dr Humayun Mohmand and senior officials of the climate change ministry and other relevant departments.

Published in Dawn, March 4th, 2023