Wildlife Heroes Honored at 2025 Protection Awards

News Desk

Islamabad: Pakistan has recorded an estimated 167 snow leopards, marking the country’s first scientific population assessment of the elusive species and providing a new benchmark for conservation efforts across its mountainous regions.

The estimate was announced at the second annual Pakistan Wildlife Protection Awards, organised by the Snow Leopard Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC) in connection with World Ranger Day.

The assessment is the result of more than 15 years of field surveys, camera trapping and data analysis conducted with national and international partners. According to the foundation, the figure places Pakistan among the world’s leading snow leopard range countries, ranking fourth in terms of estimated population.

The announcement came as seven wildlife workers from Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu & Kashmir were recognised for protecting endangered species and confronting poaching and other threats in some of the country’s most difficult terrains.

Rangers at the heart of conservation

Muhammad Ismail, a game watcher from Azad Jammu & Kashmir, received the Snow Leopard Award, the highest honour of the ceremony, for his service at Musk Deer National Park. He has repeatedly put his life at risk while pursuing poachers and protecting endangered wildlife.

Other award recipients included:

Sher Afghan Ali — Blue Sheep Award, Gilgit-Baltistan

Muhammad Raza — Brown Bear Award, Gilgit-Baltistan

Sakhawat Ali — Wolf Award, Gilgit-Baltistan

Israr Ullah — Ibex Award, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa

Muhammad Saleem — Markhor Award, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa

Mehboob Shah — Musk Deer Award, Azad Jammu & Kashmir

Each awardee received a certificate, commemorative trophy and cash prize in recognition of their service.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of State for Climate Change Dr Shezra Mansab Kharal described rangers and field officers as the frontline defenders of Pakistan’s natural heritage, stressing that their work also contributes to the country’s response to climate change.

Wildlife Ambassador Sardar Jamal Khan Leghari said wildlife protection extends beyond individual species, as preserving animals and their habitats is essential for safeguarding entire ecosystems and the future of coming generations.

Life on the conservation front line

The ceremony also featured the premiere of “Beyond Borders, The Heartbeat of Chitral Rangers”, a documentary highlighting the difficult conditions faced by wildlife personnel working in remote and high-altitude areas.

The event, attended by government officials, diplomats and conservation representatives, also included cultural performances celebrating Pakistan’s biodiversity and heritage.

With the new snow leopard estimate providing a clearer picture of one of Pakistan’s most threatened species, conservationists now face the challenge of turning scientific data into stronger protection on the ground.

The awards served as a reminder that behind every successful conservation effort are field workers operating far from the spotlight, often in harsh terrain and at considerable personal risk, to protect Pakistan’s remaining wildlife.