18th February, 2005
Syed Asad Ali Awards distribution ceremony

WWF-Pakistan held the Syed Asad Ali Conservation Award (2005) distribution ceremony at Ali Auditorium on February 17 at 4:30 pm. This award is a tribute to Syed Asad Ali’s contributions to wildlife and as a conservationist.

This year, Moulvi Fazlullah and Abdul Qayyum Raisani have been awarded the Syed Asad Ali Award 2005 in recognition of their efforts as conservationists in their respective areas. The chief guest Begum Fakkhr-e-Jehan Asad Ali distributed the awards among the recipients.

Moulvi Fazlullah has been working as a social worker for over six decades in the community of Thingsheng, to which he belongs. Keeping in view the deteriorating situation of the Chitral Gol National Park, he along with his colleagues launched a campaign to discourage the indiscriminate the hunting and uncontrolled grazing in and around the park. He has been extremely supportive of the Protected Areas Management Project of WWF-Pakistan.

Abdul Qayyum Raisani, Deputy Ranger Wildlife, Hazarganji Chiltan National Park, Quetta, started his career as a Game Watcher in the Park. He put all his efforts in the protection of the Markhor and was able to increase the population of the Markhor from 100 to 1000 over the last 20 years.

Syed Asad Ali was born on September 8, 1930. He graduated from Aitchison College. Hailing from the famous Syed Maratab Ali family of Lahore, his father Syed Amjad Ali was a well known industrialist and statesman. After spending 69 years of a hectic and utilitarian life, he passed away on February 13, 1999. Stepping in the shoes of his father Syed Asad Ali took time off from his business commitments to pursue his interest in ornithology and wild life photography. The all encompassing knowledge he had on birds and animals was invaluable to him for he knew the existence of each species in every region of Pakistan, be it the Snow leopard from the Himalayas, Markhor from the rugged mountains of Torghar, the unique Indus Dolphin, the fast disappearing Hub Mahseer or the pretty Grey Hypocolius wintering in Sindh.

This award is awarded to individuals for significant field work in line with the nature conserving priorities in Pakistan. The Award aims at recognizing the achievement of conservationists. The award is granted to individuals based on their personal contributions to the cause of conservation.