SKARDU, Oct 14 The Pakistan Wetlands Programme has given necessary equipments and uniforms to the field staff of the Deosai National Park.

The uniforms and equipments including boots, jackets and accessories for park management were handed over to the staff during a ceremony held here the other day.

Speaking at the occasion, commissioner Baltistan division stressed conservation of natural resources. He said poverty was a major destructive force in Gilgit-Baltistan in this regard.

Ghulam Tahir, forest conservator, said Deosai was the second highest plateau in the world. “This beautiful plateau is the home of brown bear and several species of other animals and plants.

The government wants to preserve the natural environment.

Therefore, this plateau was declared a national park in 1993,” he said.

After establishment of the park, he said, the number of brown bear had increased to 61 from 19.

He said that 150 medicinal plants had been identified in the park. In-charge wetlands programme Dr Humera Khan also spoke on the occasion.