ISLAMABAD, Monday, July 14, 2025 (WNP): The Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC), in partnership with the Snow Leopard Foundation (SLF) and wildlife departments from Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, announced the winners of the Pakistan Wildlife Protection Awards 2025 in a powerful tribute to the unsung guardians of Pakistan’s natural heritage.
Seven individuals have been selected for their outstanding contributions to wildlife conservation, particularly in Pakistan’s fragile snow leopard range areas, following a thorough review of 21 nominations by the National Committee for the Citizen Ranger Wildlife Protection Program (CRWPP). An additional award has been reserved for a community-led initiative, reflecting the critical role of local participation in environmental stewardship.
These annual awards recognize the courage, dedication, and behind-the-scenes efforts of field staff who risk personal safety to safeguard endangered species and ecosystems.
Spotlight on Wildlife Champions:
- Snow Leopard Award: Muhammad Ismail, Game Watcher from the AJK Wildlife Department, for his unwavering dedication to high-altitude species conservation.
- Musk Deer Award: Mehboob Shah, also from AJK, for significant efforts in musk deer habitat protection.
- Blue Sheep Award: Sher Afgan Ali (Gilgit-Baltistan)
- Brown Bear Award: Muhammad Raza (Gilgit-Baltistan)
- Wolf Award: Sakhawat Ali (Gilgit-Baltistan)
- Ibex Award: Israr Ullah, Deputy Ranger (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
- Markhor Award: Muhammad Saleem, Wildlife Watcher (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
The formal award ceremony is scheduled later this month, jointly hosted by MoCC&EC and the Snow Leopard Foundation.
Minister of State for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Shezra Mansab Kharal, lauded the recipients, stating: “These rangers, officers, and community champions are the unsung heroes of Pakistan’s conservation landscape. Their tireless efforts in the harshest terrains are vital in our fight against biodiversity loss and climate change. As a nation, we must recognize, support, and celebrate their work.”
Wildlife Ambassador Sardar Jamal Khan Leghari, SLF Director Dr. Muhammad Ali Nawaz, senior wildlife expert Ashiq Ahmad Khan, and DIG Forest MoCC&EC Haseena Anbarin also praised the recipients for their unwavering commitment to preserving Pakistan’s unique biodiversity.
Both the Ministry and SLF reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the Citizen Ranger Wildlife Protection Program, enhancing conservation outreach, and strengthening support for frontline conservationists across the country.
The Pakistan Wildlife Protection Awards not only honor individual excellence but also inspire a broader national movement to safeguard the country’s endangered species and ecological heritage—one ranger, one community, one mountain at a time.
