SLF Concluded International Snow Leopard Day 2019 Celebrations on a High Note

Snow Leopard Foundation (SLF) and Pakistan Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (PSLEP celebrated this year’s International Snow Leopard Day in all three project regions (Gilgit Baltistan, Chitral and Azad Jammu and Kashmir).

The celebrations ended on a high note with an event organized in Snow Leopard Club established in Shahwali Model Academy Ghulmat, District Nagar, Gilgit Baltistan. Students from Nau Nehal Public School Minapin also participated in the event. The prominent feature of this event was presence of four high profile diplomats from Islamabad. These distinguished guests were the Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic H.E, Mr. Erik Beishembiev who was also the Chief Guest at the event. H.E, Mr. Ali Alizada, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E, Mr. Ismatullo Nasredin, Ambassador of the Republic of Tajikistan and H.E, Mr. Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul, Ambassador of Turkey.

The guests were received by Hussain Ali Regional Program Manager SLF/ PSLEP along with the principals and students of both schools. The students were holding flags of Pakistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan. The guests took a tour of school while Hussain Ali briefed them about the objectives and activities of Snow Leopard Clubs (nature clubs) established by SLF in local schools of project valleys in GB and other two regions. Students presented traditional caps and Snow Leopard Club members badges to the distinguished guests.

In his welcome address Hussain Ali thanked the guests for their visit and presence at the event. He shared the details of SLF operations in snow leopard conservation. He further informed that SLF has established Snow Leopard Clubs in local schools in all it projects landscapes and valleys in Gilgit Baltistan, Chitral and AJ&K because for SLF youth is one of the important stakeholders in snow leopard conservation. Therefore, it is necessary to create awareness and provide them conservation education.

As part of the International Snow Leopard Day celebrations, a poster competition was held in Shahwali Model Academy and Nau Nehal Public School. The distinguished guests distributed prizes among the winner and runner up posters from both schools.

The Chief Guest at the event the Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic H.E, Mr. Erik Beishembiev in his speech appreciated SLF/ PSLEP for the efforts in protecting snow leopard and its habitats in Pakistan. He thanked SLF/ PSLEP and school management for the warm welcome and hospitality. H.E Mr. Erik Beishembiev appreciated  the effort of students and said, “me and my colleagues are much impressed with your drawing and painting skills. The artwork we have seen is indeed very impressive. The artwork done by you shows that you all have a good understanding of nature, wildlife and snow leopards. You all can play an important role in protecting the snow leopards and its habitat.” He further stated that Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic Islamabad and SLF have been jointly organizing events for last three in connection with celebration of international days such as World Wildlife Day and International Snow Leopard Day.

The event concluded with group photographs of students with the honorable guests.