Wajid Khan,
Rawalpindi: Department of Wildlife Management, PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, in collaboration with “WWF Pakistan” and “Ecosystems Conservancy” celebrated the “World Pangolin Day 2019” and appreciated the effort of Dr. Tariq Mahmood to save Pangolin. On behalf of Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Arshad, Senior Dean Faculty of Science, was the Chief Guest at the event. The event was conducted by Ms. Saleha Abbasi as Stage secretary.
The World Pangolin day is usually celebrated on every 3rd Saturday in the month of February each year. It provides an opportunity for pangolin enthusiasts to join together in raising awareness about these unique mammals and their plight. Also known as scaly anteater, pangolins are found throughout Africa and Asia, but their numbers are dwindling as a result of poaching for international trade. These are the most illegally trafficked mammals in the world. All eight species of pangolin are classified by the IUCN as “Endangered” meaning that they are protected in their natural environments. All pangolin species are included in “Appendix-I” of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)”, meaning that their all kinds of international trade is banned.
The World Pangolin Day 2019 event was attended by participants including staff members from WWF Pakistan, Senior Faculty members and Professors, and students from different departments of Arid University Rawalpindi, Heads of Departments and Chairpersons, staff members of Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department Rawalpindi, staff of Islamabad Wildlife Management Board, faculty members and students from University of Haripur, KPK and faculty members of University of Kotli, AJ&K, and University of Bagh, AJ&K, in addition to students of Department of Wildlife Management.
Dr. Tariq Mahmood, member IUCN SSC Pangolin Specialist group, host and In-Charge Department of Wildlife Management, welcomed all the guests and students at the event. Talking with media he said with the help of international organizations they made small videos documentary showing that how the illegal international trade is driving pangolins towards extinction. The idea of the documentary was to support Pangolin conservation efforts and raise global awareness, which have long been neglected in wildlife research. As the event was co-hosted by WWF Pakistan, a message from Director General WWF was relayed by Mr. Muhammad Waseem (Manager Conservation, “Pakistan is has been blessed with some of the most unique biodiversity on the planet. This is primarily due to the altitudinal range the country possesses, starting at zero metre sea level along the coastline rising to above 8,00 metres on the peak of K2 mountain in the north. Unfortunately in the past we have not given enough credit to the social, economic and cultural values that the country’s species and habitats bring to Pakistan and many species and habitats are being lost at an alarming rate. Some species are nearly on the edge of extinction in Pakistan and if we don’t act now we will may lose them forever. The Pangolin is one example of this. Once quite common throughout the country, today it is has been hunted down for its scales, which are exported to South Asian countries, so much so that it has disappeared in many parts of the country. We need to protect this species from local extinction through a collaborative effort and by raising awareness about the role that this animals plays in the ecosystem. In this regards academia has an important role in the conservation of these species. Without solid scientific evidence we cannot confidently make management prescriptions for its conservation and itis only when scientists, wildlife managers and science-based organisations come together will we come up with sustainable solutions to otherwise very complex conservation problems”.
Dr Tariq Mahmood, member IUCN SSC Pangolin Specialist Group, delivered a brief presentation related to the event, the World Pangolin Day 2019. He mentioned that more than 400 pangolins were illegally killed on Potohar Plateau between 2010-13, and the trend is still going on. He also highlighted the substantial decline in pangolin population in some parts of Pakistan including Potohar Plateau and AJ&K, as a result of poaching and illegal trade for its scales. He also mentioned the research work of one Ph.D. and three M.Phil. Scholars of the Department of Wildlife Management conducted on Indian pangolin in Pakistan.
Mr. Muhammad Waseem, Manager Conservation WWF, Pakistan, and Principal Investigator in the Pangolin Project by WWF, presented the conservation efforts of WWF Pakistan being carried out against pangolin poaching and illegal trade in the Potohar Plateau and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K). He briefed the participants about the recently launched project titled “Saving the Indian pangolin” by WWF Pakistan and its main objectives. He mentioned that 32% of the most suitable habitat of Indian pangolin in the Potohar and AJ&K is still occupied by the species, and an average of 1.27 individuals per kilometre square are present in the most suitable habitat of the area. He also highlighted that around 275 pangolins were poached from 47 different locations of the country between 2013 -18.He reported that local communities and gypsies are involved in poaching and illegal trade of Indian pangolin in the country. He further briefed the participants about the “Pangolin protection zones” that have been established at six different locations in the area. National Consultative Workshop was recently held in Islamabad hosted by WWF Pakistan, to draft recommendations for Conservation Plan Development for Indian pangolin. The draft has been prepared and is under review for finalization and implementation.
Towards the end of the event, the Chief Guest, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Arshad expressed his views about the event and appreciated the efforts of the organizers to highlight and sensitize the cause “Pangolin Conservation” In his speech, he also emphasized about the importance of the natural resources and the sustainable use of the environment and the ecosystems. Finally the Certificates of participation were distributed among the participants of the event.
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