Engro Foods have contributed Rs. 4.5 million to WWF Pakistan’s Indus Dolphin Conservation. A ceremony to mark this agreement was held on Friday at WWF Pakistan’s Wetland Centre at Sandspit. This has been the largest Pakistani corporate sector contribution to WWF – Pakistan.

Dr. Ghulam Akbar, Director, Indus For All Programme, WWF – Pakistan, welcomed the participants which included CEOs and representatives of important corporations. He introduced WWF Pakistan to the participants. WWF – Pakistan is one of the largest environmental conservation organisations in the world.

Engro Foods have joined hands with other donors such as the Royal Netherlands Embassy, United Nations Development Programme, WWF – Sweden and WWF Switzerland for the conservation of Indus Dolphin. Uzma Khan, Manager Conservation Programme, WWF Pakistan gave details of what both the organisations aim to achieve. The conservation programme aims to reduce the losses of the Indus River Dolphin from fishing nets and canal strandings. Survey of canals through community based game watchers will be conducted in the dry season to locate stranded Indus dolphins. The Dolphin rescue unit operating at Sukkur Barrage will be extended and improved. The Programme aims to train fishermen to rescue dolphins that become entangled in their fishing gear to reduce bycatch mortality. Illustrative material regarding rescue will be developed and disseminated. Another objective of the Programme is to enhance awareness about the Indus River Dolphin through the Indus Dolphin Conservation Centre (IDCC) at Sukkur. For this WWF will coordinate with the fishermen to promote eco-tourism, awareness and alternate livelihoods and involve local schools in educational activities at IDCC.

Mr. Sarfaraz Rehman, CEO Engro Foods, reiterated Engro’s commitment to social responsibility. He commented that the corporate sector should realise its role in conserving Pakistan’s environment. He said that as concerned citizens of this country it is our duty to collaborate with WWF to bring about an improvement in the country’s environment.

Ms. Spenta Captain Kandawalla, who is a board member of both Engro Foods and WWF Pakistan presented a shield to Mr. Sarfaraz Rehman to mark the occassion.

The participants also went for boat safari in the delta creeks and had an opportunity to watch migratory and indigenous birds and mangrove ecosystem. The Indus Delta Ecoregion is a globally important ecoregion and WWF is committed to conserve it.

Saman Ehsan
WWF -Pakistan
Ferozepur Road,Lahore.
Tel: +92 042-111-993-725,
Email: publications@wwf.org.pk