From the jagged, snow-covered mountains in the north to the deep waters of the Arabian Sea, Pakistan contains a diverse topography of geographical features. Because of this, it is home to an incredible diversity of flora and fauna. As with the rest of the world, in the last century, lack of understanding and awareness led to human practices that exploited the country’s natural resources without replenishing them. Population explosion and growing infrastructure needs also led to decimation of animal habitat and forests, and resulted in loss and endangerment of animal and plant species that are only found in Pakistan. This unsettled the delicate balance of nature. There was an urgent need for a conservation organisation to meet and counter the growing conservation and environment issues, and so WWF – Pakistan was formed in 1970.
World Wide Fund for Nature - Pakistan was formed in 1970 to address the growing environmental and conservation issues in Pakistan that not only affected the flora and fauna, but were also affecting the human population. For the first fifteen years, it was a small organisation which relied on individuals for financial support and honourary scientific input. It was in the late 80s that the first formal project for environmental education was started. Since then, the programmes of WWF – Pakistan and its staff have expanded rapidly to increase its conservation efforts. WWF - Pakistan works through 31 offices with a team of approximately 340 dedicated staff members. We have our Head Office in Lahore, regional offices in Karachi, Islamabad, Peshawar, Gilgit, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Quetta, and project offices wherever there is need and the potential to make a difference.
WWF - Pakistan is a proud component of the WWF International family network, one of the world's largest and most experienced independent conservation organisations, with almost four million supporters, 4,500 staff members and a global network active in more than 100 countries. Through this network, we expand upon mutual opportunities to learn and implement new and better ways to conserve and serve the environment. We have global vision when it comes to conservation, but we hold true to local perspective and needs while accomplishing our work.
WWF – Pakistan carries out conservation work according to the Global Programme Framework. The Framework includes year 2050 biodiversity and human footprint goals.
The first biodiversity goal is that biodiversity should be protected and well managed in the world's most outstanding natural places, or ecoregions. WWF - - Pakistan has about 30 active projects/programmes in this regard. The foremost example is The Indus Ecoregion Programme. The Indus delta is one of the most biologically rich areas in the world and The Indus Ecoregion Programme is an ambitious long-term (2006-2056) initiative of WWF – Pakistan and the Government of Sindh. The programme focuses on addressing poverty issues and natural resource degradation in the Indus Ecoregion, while finding opportunities for sustainable development.
The second biodiversity goal is that populations of the most ecologically, economically and culturally important species should be restored and thrive in the wild. The goal is delivered through conservation of flagship species. From the elusive snow leopard of the high mountains to the green turtles of the Arabian Sea coast, Pakistan is home to an incredible variety of animal species. For Pakistan, this means conservation of Asian big cats, marine cetaceans, marine turtles and river dolphins.
The human footprint goal states that by 2020, humanity's global footprint should fall below its 2000 level and continue its downward trend, specifically in the areas of:
Additionally, through targeted scientific research, it has been proven that people, livestock and wildlife are all dependent on wetlands. To conserve, restore and raise awareness about wetlands as an integral component of the environment, the Pakistan Wetlands Programme was initiated. It is a joint initiative, made possible by collaboration between UNOP, the Ministry of Environment and WWF Pakistan to protect and manage Pakistan's wetlands.
This, and much more, is being accomplished for nature conservation and sustainable development throughout the country with various partnerships and initiatives by WWF – Pakistan.