ISLAMABAD, Aug 21: The government and the World Bank here on Wednesday signed $10.08 million accord for the Global Environment Facility Trust Fund Grant Agreement — Protected Areas management project.

To implement this project, Global Environment Facility will provide a grant support of $10.08m, involving no liability on the part of the government.

The project reflects government’s commitment to protect country’s environment and it’s continued efforts to protect ecology, bio-diversity and wild habitats, which form a major national asset. It aims to assist the government in achieving sustainable conservation of globally and nationally significant habitats and species through a series of integrated activities aimed at engaging custodial communities in the management of protected areas.

The project area comprises Chitral Gol national park (NWFP), the Hingol National park (Balochistan) and Machiara national Park (AJ&K). The main components of the project are:

Protected area bio-diversity conversation management, sustainability of park management, human resource development, project coordination and monitoring.