DLP Report
PESHAWAR
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening wildlife conservation efforts in the province through legislative reforms and institutional strengthening.
A high-level meeting chaired by Junaid Khan, Secretary of Climate Change, Forestry, Environment and Wildlife, was briefed on the performance and challenges faced by the Wildlife Department.
Dr. Mohsin Farooq, Chief Conservator of Wildlife, highlighted the department’s achievements and emphasized the need for legal reforms to address emerging challenges such as environmental degradation, habitat destruction, and wildlife trafficking.
The meeting approved proposed amendments to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife and Biodiversity Act 2015, aimed at aligning the legal framework with modern conservation standards and enhancing enforcement mechanisms.
Secretary Junaid Khan lauded the department’s efforts and assured full support from the provincial government. He directed that the proposed amendments be forwarded to the Law Department for vetting and instructed the Wildlife Department to expedite the process.
The meeting also approved the establishment of a Wildlife Development Fund, modeled on the successful Forest Development Fund, to provide sustainable financial resources for conservation efforts.
The participants reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening wildlife conservation through robust legal reforms, institutional strengthening, and community engagement, ensuring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s leadership in biodiversity conservation.
