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