Groundbreaking held for snow leopard research centre in Gojal
PASSU: A research and education centre aimed at advancing the study and conservation of snow leopards and mountain ecosystems in Gilgit-Baltistan broke ground on Wednesday in Gojal, marking the start of an initiative that will serve as a hub for scientific research, environmental education and community engagement.
The Snow Leopard and Mountain Biodiversity and Research Centre is being built by the Passu Development Organisation, with support from WWF-Pakistan and WWF-Italy.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Hammad Naqi, director general of WWF-Pakistan; Karim, president of the Regional Council Hunza; former tourism minister Raja Shahbaz Khan; the Gojal magistrate; and other conservation partners, officials and local residents.
Organisers said the centre would provide researchers, students and conservationists with a base for studying the flora and fauna of Gilgit-Baltistan and neighbouring mountain ecosystems, with particular emphasis on the snow leopard and its habitat.
It is also intended to promote sustainable conservation practices and broaden public understanding of the region’s ecological significance.
The facility will additionally serve as a meeting point for local communities, researchers, conservation practitioners and educational institutions to share knowledge and coordinate conservation efforts, organisers said.
Mr Naqi said the project reflected the importance of partnerships among local communities, civil society organisations and conservation institutions.
“Conservation becomes more meaningful and sustainable when local communities are at the centre of the process,” he said.
He added that the initiative “can provide an important platform for research, education and community-led conservation, particularly for the protection of the snow leopard and its mountain habitat”.
Organisers described the centre as a long-term initiative aimed at strengthening scientific knowledge and community involvement in protecting GB’s ecosystems for future generations.
Published in Dawn, September 26th, 2026
