Pakistan Wildlife Protection Awards
2024 Award Winners
Presented on the occasion of World Rangers Day 2024, these six individuals were honoured for their outstanding courage, dedication, and sacrifice in protecting Pakistan’s wildlife and natural heritage across Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir.
🐆 Snow Leopard Award · National Level · PKR 150,000
Sarmad Shafa
Range Forest Officer · Parks & Wildlife Department, Gilgit-Baltistan
Introduction
Mr. Sarmad Shafa is from District Astore, Gilgit-Baltistan. He earned his BSc and MSc degrees in Forestry from Forest College Peshawar (PFI). Driven by a lifelong passion for wildlife, he has been serving in the Forest, Parks, and Wildlife Department as a Range Forest Officer since 2014 — facing challenges including life threats from poachers, timber mafias, and medicinal plant smugglers.
Services
Mr. Shafa bravely apprehended armed individuals attempting illegal hunting of wild ungulates in Harmosh Valley. The suspects violently assaulted him — inflicting severe injuries — and fired multiple rounds, which he narrowly deflected. The incident occurred during Eid when poachers assumed staff would be off duty. He also seized two Himalayan Ibex trophies during a vehicle raid in Jutial, and rescued two bear cubs trapped in a livestock corral, releasing them back into their natural habitat.
🦌 Ibex Award · Gilgit-Baltistan · PKR 100,000
Faizan Dukhi
Sub-Divisional Forest Officer · Parks & Wildlife Department, Gilgit-Baltistan
Introduction
Mr. Faizan Dukhi has been working in the GB Parks & Wildlife Department since 2012, serving across different stations in various roles. His father also served in the Forest/Wildlife Department, instilling in him a deep attachment to wildlife from an early age. He approaches his work as a passion rather than a duty.
Services
Mr. Dukhi confiscated numerous illegally possessed wildlife items, including three live markhors and a wolf pup. He cared for a snow leopard at the Naltar Valley rehabilitation centre and assisted the Snow Leopard Foundation in providing food for the cub. During a wildlife survey in Kargah Valley, he unexpectedly confronted three armed poachers who attempted to attack him and his team — they narrowly escaped.
🐑 Blue Sheep Award · Gilgit-Baltistan · PKR 100,000
Kamal ud Din
Game Inspector · Parks & Wildlife Department, Gilgit-Baltistan
Introduction
Mr. Kamal ud Din is from Sost, Gojal, District Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan. He has been serving the Wildlife Department since 2002 — over 25 years of devoted service. His father was also in the department, motivating him from a young age. He was once assigned to care for a critically ill 7-day-old snow leopard cub, raising it for 16 months until it was handed over to Bronx Zoo, USA, where it became known as Leo.
Services
Mr. Kamal ud Din caught red-handed the head of a powerful institution illegally hunting Himalayan Ibex in the buffer zone of Khunjerab National Park. He arrested the individual, recovered the killed animal, and stood firm despite receiving threats to withdraw the FIR. He pursued the case through court and an enquiry committee, and as a result the officer was removed from his position — an exemplary act of courage by a field staff member against an influential figure.
🐐 Markhor Award · Khyber Pakhtunkhwa · PKR 100,000
Syed Mussadiq Ali Shah
Wildlife Ranger · Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Department
Introduction
Syed Mussadiq Ali Shah is from Thandiani, Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He joined the department in 2022 and has demonstrated extraordinary vigilance in surveillance and monitoring, often at great personal risk. He actively uses technology — including social media platforms — to detect illegal wildlife trade networks and engage communities in reporting suspicious activities.
Services
Acting on his intelligence, he raided a group smuggling snow leopard pelts from Gilgit-Baltistan — successfully confiscating four snow leopard pelts (one adult, four cubs). The culprits were arrested and fined. He also confiscated parts of other endangered species including pangolin. During a raid on hunters, he sustained severe injuries including a fractured arm.
🐺 Wolf Award · Khyber Pakhtunkhwa · PKR 100,000
Zaid Ahmad
Deputy Ranger Wildlife · Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Department
Introduction
Mr. Zaid Ahmad is from Chitral town, Lower Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He is the third generation of his family to serve in the wildlife department, following his father and grandfather. Since childhood he had a conservation mindset and deep awareness of wildlife’s importance. His dream was to serve either the Pakistan Military or the Wildlife Department — and it was fulfilled.
Services
During his service at Chitral Gol National Park, Mr. Ahmad defended both wildlife and park land — repeatedly foiling land grabbers attempting to build on national park territory. He prevented illegal grazing and hunting, faced physical assault and gunfire from armed poachers, and received life threats. He issued 24 challans to hunters, land grabbers, illegally grazing herders, and poachers, and confiscated weapons and other items.
🦌 Musk Deer Award · Azad Jammu & Kashmir · PKR 100,000
Jan Muhammad Nasir
Game Watcher · Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, AJ&K
Introduction
Mr. Jan Muhammad Nasir is from Phullawai village, Gurez Valley, District Neelum, AJK. He has been involved in conservation work from a very young age, initially with a conservation organisation before joining the Wildlife and Fisheries Department in 2012. Working in Musk Deer National Park demands exceptional resilience given the harsh weather, dense forest, and strategic location — conditions he has navigated with full honesty and devotion.
Services
Mr. Nasir worked to control illegal grazing and manage livestock to protect snow leopard habitat and strengthen anti-poaching efforts through increased patrolling. He confronted poachers bravely and received life threats in doing so. In his last year of service before the award, he not only curbed illegal activities but also issued challans to poachers, resulting in approximately PKR 100,000 in fines being submitted to the department.