The word ‘Literacy’ can easily be related to prosperity, development and peace. If literacy is joined with skill development, then it gives altogether a new dimension to the social and economic structure of a society or country. This year’s theme of International Literacy Day “Literacy and Skills Development” certainly indicates the need for improving the living conditions of various communities all around the world.
In June 2018 a report “Pakistan Education Statistics 2016-17” which was launched by the Academy of Educational Planning and Management (AEPAM). According to the report out of the total 51.53 million children between the age of five and 16, as many as 22.84million were out of school. This figure suggests that all stakeholders must make a collective effort to bring down this number in coming years.
Snow Leopard Foundation (SLF) ensures to involve the local communities of its program regions in its operations which involves scientific research, field surveys and community support initiatives, all leading towards the conservation and protection of snow leopards and the ecosystem in its habitats in Pakistan. The surveys and research related to communities living in snow leopard habitats suggests that literacy plays a vital role in minimizing the human-animal conflicts. There is a rationale for achieving this most difficult task of behavioral change among the local communities of snow leopard range.
To achieve this goal, SLF initiated two programs in Gilgit Baltistan and Chitral region. The introduction of Nature Clubs in valley schools and Women Skill Enhancing Program called Snow Leopard Enterprises (SLE).
SLF has set up nature clubs at schools and conduct awareness sessions and plantation campaigns for students. Close contact with nature builds up self-confidence through experience and affection for wildlife which ultimately motivates for conservation. SLF inducts interventions within traditional national educational and recreational programs and organized events at several schools to help young students become more aware of conservation & environmental issues. The youth is always considered to be the most influencing force in any society. Same is the case with SLF Nature Clubs. These young students influence their elders and educate them about the importance of wildlife and its protection. SLF recorded behavior change in the local communities living in snow leopard habitats. The success can be defined by stating that before the local villagers used to kill snow leopards due to livestock predations. But now they resist to kill this beautiful and elusive animal and rather prefer to capture it and inform the concerned wildlife department or the non-government organizations working in their region. They have started to understand the importance of its presence to keep the balance of ecosystem.
Snow Leopard Enterprises (SLE) is a conservation program that works directly with the people who share snow leopard habitat to create sustainable economic opportunities that reduce the motivation behind poaching. This program provides training and equipment that enables participants to make beautiful handmade items from the raw wool of their livestock.
Thus, through implementing the education and skill development initiatives, SLF has proved that these two important factors can easily help in minimizing the human-animal conflicts particularly the snow leopards, and can contribute in the global effort to reduce the risk of its extinction.
