Pakistan Honors Wildlife Heroes at 2025 Protection Awards

News Desk 

Islamabad: In a heartfelt tribute to the frontline defenders of nature, the Snow Leopard Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC), hosted the second annual Pakistan Wildlife Protection Awards in Islamabad. 

Held in connection with World Ranger Day, the event recognized seven courageous individuals from Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir for their unwavering dedication to wildlife conservation.

Each awardee received a certificate of recognition, a commemorative trophy, and a cash prize in acknowledgment of their long-standing service and sacrifices in the field.

A major highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling of Pakistan’s first-ever scientific estimate of the snow leopard population, a milestone in wildlife research and conservation.

After over 15 years of rigorous field surveys, camera trapping, and data analysis, the foundation, in collaboration with national and international partners, announced that Pakistan is home to an estimated 167 snow leopards—making it the fourth-largest snow leopard range country in the world.

Honoring Wildlife Heroes

The Snow Leopard Award, the highest honor of the evening, was presented to Muhammad Ismail, a game watcher from AJK, for his outstanding service in the Musk Deer National Park, where he has risked his life on multiple occasions to apprehend poachers and safeguard endangered species.

• Sher Afghan Ali (Gilgit-Baltistan) – Blue Sheep Award
• Muhammad Raza (Gilgit-Baltistan) – Brown Bear Award
• Sakhawat Ali (Gilgit-Baltistan) – Wolf Award
• Israr Ullah (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) – Ibex Award
• Muhammad Saleem (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) – Markhor Award
• Mehboob Shah (Azad Jammu & Kashmir) – Musk Deer Award

The awards were presented by Dr. Shezra Mansab Kharal, Minister of State for Climate Change, who served as Chief Guest, alongside Kylychbek Sultan, Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan; Sardar Jamal Khan Leghari, Pakistan’s Wildlife Ambassador;  Aisha Humera Chaudhry, Federal Secretary; and Dr. Muhammad Ali Nawaz, Director of the Snow Leopard Foundation.

The ceremony also included the premiere of a moving documentary titled “Beyond Borders – The Heartbeat of Chitral Rangers”, which highlighted the challenges faced by wildlife rangers working in remote, high-altitude terrains.

In her keynote remarks, Minister Dr. Shezra Mansab Kharal paid tribute to the awardees, saying:

“These rangers and field officers are the true heroes of our wildlife. Their tireless efforts not only safeguard our natural heritage but also strengthen our national response to climate change.”

Wildlife Ambassador Sardar Jamal Khan Leghari emphasized:

“Protecting wildlife is about more than animals — it’s about saving entire ecosystems and securing the future for coming generations.”

The event concluded with cultural performances celebrating Pakistan’s rich biodiversity and traditions, followed by the distribution of honorary shields and certificates to award committee members and volunteers.

The Snow Leopard Foundation and the Ministry of Climate Change reaffirmed their continued commitment to strengthening wildlife protection and environmental resilience across Pakistan.