ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam has inaugurated the first-ever Common Asian Leopard preserve zone in the federal capital’s scenic Margalla Hills.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony at Trail-6 visitors information center, the SAPM said the conservation site would help protect critically endangered wild cat species and promote wildlife tourism in the world’s unique ecosystems.
He added that it was imperative to create a balance with nature and adapt to nature as the prevailing COVID-19 era was reaction to human intrusion into nature. It’s a reaction to human conflict with nature that transferred the zoonotic diseases to mankind, he underlined.
“We did not make Leopard Preserve rather the nature helped it due to the nature protection efforts and favourable environmental conditions,” he said. Amin mentioned that leopard was critically endangered as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listing of various wildlife species.
The SAPM said leopard was the Prime Minister of this national park and it’s absence would disturb the entire ecosystem. “There are 300 birds, 350 plant and 20 snakes species are found in the Margalla Hills National Park that make it a biodiversity rich ecosystem,” he said.
The SAPM said there would be guided tours on Trail-6 from now onwards as it would no more be an open trail due to the presence of Leopards. “Though it’s a nocturnal animal and will not be visible during day times but through this wildlife tourism initiative, the youth and children would learn more about Leopard movement and it’s habitat,” he said.
A video documentary based on the IWMB’s journey of developing the Leopard Preserve prepared by the board was depicted before the participants with the aim to create awareness and public knowledge on Margalla Hills National Park. The six-minute documentary was prepared by IWMB on leopards titled Margalla Hills Leopard Kingdom.
