High-Tech Tools Take Conservation to Pakistan’s Mountains

News Desk

Skardu: The Snow Leopard Foundation (SLF) has launched a next-generation bio-monitoring framework in the Karakoram–Himalayan region of northern Pakistan, aimed at strengthening biodiversity research and evidence-based conservation in one of the world’s most ecologically significant mountain landscapes.

The high-altitude ecosystems of northern Pakistan host a rich array of globally important wildlife species, yet scientific data on species ecology, population dynamics and survival requirements remains limited due to the region’s extreme terrain, harsh climate and the difficulty of monitoring elusive wildlife.

To address these challenges, SLF has spent more than a decade pioneering innovative research approaches, including extensive camera-trapping across northern Pakistan, resulting in one of the most comprehensive datasets on some of the world’s least-studied mountain species.

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/slf-urges-focus-on-wild-conservation-as-captive-leopards-face-transfer/

Building on this foundation, the newly launched bio-monitoring framework integrates advanced techniques such as double-observer surveys, environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling, non-invasive genetic analysis and camera trapping.

The integrated approach moves beyond single-species monitoring to comprehensive biodiversity profiling, enabling deeper insights into ecosystem structure, species interactions and ecological resilience.

According to SLF, the framework will help map ecological networks and identify ecosystem vulnerabilities, supporting targeted, science-based conservation interventions across the Karakoram–Himalayan landscape.

As part of the initiative, SLF organised a two-day training workshop in Skardu, bringing together students from Baltistan University and field staff from the Gilgit-Baltistan Wildlife Department. The training was led by Dr Muhammad Ali Nawaz and Dr Hussain Ali.

A total of 42 participants attended the workshop, which included interactive classroom sessions on wildlife monitoring fundamentals and advanced methodologies such as eDNA sampling, double-observer surveys and camera trapping.

On the second day, participants received intensive field-based training in the Karakoram Mountains, gaining hands-on experience with modern wildlife monitoring tools.

Conservator of Forest, Parks and Wildlife Baltistan region Khadim Abbas welcomed the initiative, saying the adoption of advanced monitoring techniques would significantly enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of wildlife management in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Dr Muhammad Ali, Head of the Department of Zoology at Baltistan University, said the training provided a rare opportunity for students, strengthening their technical skills and motivating the next generation of wildlife researchers.

Dr Muhammad Ali Nawaz emphasised that building the capacity of local researchers and wildlife managers through advanced ecological approaches was essential to achieving targets under the Global Biodiversity Framework.

He said the new generation of research would unlock previously unknown ecological insights and contribute to long-term conservation efforts in the region.

The training workshop was supported by the UK government’s Darwin Initiative.

SLF has also made significant progress in strengthening scientific knowledge for snow leopard conservation in Pakistan. Through years of field research, camera trapping and collaboration with local communities, the organisation has recently unveiled an updated snow leopard population census, providing one of the most credible data-driven assessments of the species in the country.

In addition, SLF is implementing community-based conservation, research and human-wildlife conflict mitigation projects across 17 valleys, working closely with local communities to promote coexistence while supporting sustainable livelihoods.