Date:26th May 2007
| WWF launches Birds of Pakistan |
WWF, the world’s largest conservation
organisation, on Saturday, 26th May 2007, launched Zahid
Baig Mirza’s historic book ‘A Field Guide to
Birds of Pakistan’ at a function organised in Islamabad.
This is the first ever field guide to birds of Pakistan.
Dr. Ejaz, Deputy Director General, WWF-Pakistan, in his
opening remarks congratulated Z B Mirza for completing this
significant study on the birds of Pakistan. For this book
Z B Mirza travelled through almost all the ecological zones
of Pakistan, starting from the northern-most mountains down
through the desert and wetlands.
Dr. Kausar Abdulla Malik, Chairman Scientific Committee,
WWF-Pakistan, gave an introduction of the book. In addition
to identification features of the birds, the book has distribution
maps of each species, based on previous records and the
authors own fieldwork. Each species and subspecies has been
beautifully painted.
Dr. Bashir Ahmed Wani, National Programme Director, Pakistan
Wetlands Programme, highlighted the significance of ‘A
Field Guide to Birds of Pakistan’ to the Pakistan
Wetlands Programme. The Pakistan Wetlands Programme is being
implemented by WWF on behalf of the Federal Ministry of
Environment focuses on conserving globally significant wetlands
and their associated biodiversity.
Brig. (retd) Mukhtar Ahmad stated that Z B Mirza has had
a long association with WWF. ZB Mirza is a recognised field
biodiversity expert of Pakistan. He is visiting faculty
member of different colleges and universities of Pakistan
teaching the subjects of Biodiversity, Ornithology and Natural
History Museology to postgraduate students. In 2002 his
book “Illustrated Handbook of Biodiversity of Pakistan’
was given ‘The Best Book Award’ by PSCOW. In
1999 he was given the ‘President of Pakistan Award
for Conservation Merit’.
On the occasion Z B Mirza thanked WWF-Pakistan for converting
his dream of printing this field guide into reality.
Ali Hassan Habib, Director General, WWF-Pakistan, thanked
all the speakers and commented that this is an important
moment not only for the author but for WWF-Pakistan also.
Signing of copies of the book by the author and tea followed.
Samman Ehsan
WWF -Pakistan
Ferozepur Road, Lahore.
Tel: +92 42 5862360, 5869429,
Fax: 042 5862358,
e-mail: publications@wwf.org.pk
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