The Chief Minister NWFP, Mohammad Akram Khan Durrani, local leaders and the community has appreciated the conservation efforts of WWF and NWFP Wildlife Department in Palas. The Chief Minister recently (Thursday, May 03, 2007) visited the Conservation Centre, Seerghazi Abad, Palas in Kohistan. He was accompanied by Senator Maulana Naseeb Gul, Provincial Revenue Minister NWFP, Maulana Asmatullah, Tehsil Nazim, Malik Amir Zada, Tehsil Naib Nazim, Suhrab Khan, Nazims, Union Councilors and various government Officials.

The Chief Minister was briefed on various conservation and development partnerships of World Wide Fund for Nature, Pakistan (WWF-P), NWFP Wildlife Department and the DFID funded project, Dec-concentration of power to the local level: empowerment for change (DPLL).

Maulana Asmatullah briefed the Chief Minister on the continued support and participatory conservation efforts of WWF-P and NWFP Wildlife Department in the area. These organizations have publicized the natural resources of Palas including endangered pheasant species, Western Horned Tragopan. These organizations have also proved instrumental in creating an in-house capacity for conservation of natural resources and exploring livelihood opportunities at the local level. The Chief Minister also saw glimpses of documentaries filmed on the natural beauty of Palas Valley.

The Chief Minister showed keen interest in the awareness material produced under various components of different projects focusing on conservation and wise use of natural resources and environmentally sound social development in the valley. He asked for further information and updates on the future prospects and plans for engaging communities in the conservation activities. The minister committed to provide any possible help and support required at the government end for future continuation and extended efforts for achieving the larger goal of sustainable development in the area.

Palas Conservation and Development Federation (PCDF), a local, non-profit organization has highly appreciated the conservation initiatives of WWF-P and NWFP Wildlife Department particularly their role in building capacity of PCDF for conservation of flora and fauna. These remarks were given by the Executive Director of PCDF, Dr. Muhammad Hanif in his welcome address to the Chief Minister NWFP, Muhammad Akram Khan Durrani during his one day visit to Palas valley.

PCDF emerged as a local, non-profit conservation and development entity through the continuous support of WWF-P and is now engaged with the NWFP Wildlife Department, DFID and many other government and non-government institutions for conserving rich natural heritage and socio-economic development of local communities in Palas.

Highlighting the value of Palas, he elaborated that Palas is home to several floral and faunal species of global importance. PCDF, with technical and financial support from the external agencies has been engaged in conserving natural resources like forests, wild animals, birds, medicinal plants and water through engaging communities at grass root level.

Dr. Hanif also appreciated and reminded the financial commitment of Rs.100,000/- from the Chief Minister made to PCDF in 2004 during his previous visit to the valley as a recognition of its conservation initiatives in Palas.

Local leaders of Kohistan i.e Maulana Asmatullah, Minister Provincial Revenue Department, Malik Amir Zada, Tehsil Nazim Palas, Suhrab Khan, Tehsil Naib Nazim, Naib Nazims and local councilors from Palas appreciated the conservation actions of WWF-Pakistan and the NWFP Wildlife Department in Palas Valley.

Palas Valley is among the few hotspots with extreme natural value due to its biodiversity richness particularly dense natural forests, wild animals and birds of global importance.

Maulana Asmatullah, during the discussion, expressed his utmost satisfaction on the conservation status of resources in the valley through a collaborative conservation partnership. While briefing the Chief Minister, he termed it a model partnership of engaging local communities at the grass root level. He further elaborated on the various activities including conservation and development of non timber forest products, capacity building of Palas Conservation and Development Federation (PCDF), a local institution and awareness raised regarding the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources among communities and general masses. The information regarding this innovative work done in Palas has also been displayed on the internet via website, www.palasvalley.org. He introduced staff of this joint partnership to the Chief Minister and requested him for extension of support to WWF-P, Wildlife Department and PCDF for continuation of this unique public and private partnership for natural resource conservation as well as socio-economic development of communities.

Samman Ehsan
WWF -Pakistan
Ferozepur Road, Lahore.
Tel: +92 42 5862360, 5869429,
Fax: 042 5862358,
e-mail: publications@wwf.org.pk