The Pakistan Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (PSLEP) project holds significant importance in the snow leopard and ecosystem conservation in Azad Jammu and & Kashmir (AJ&K), said by the Secretary Wildlife and Fisheries Department AJ&K Mr. Javaid Ayub. The project will play an important role in the community conservation and their livelihood improvement, he further stated.
The National Project Manager PSLEP Mr. Jaffar Ud Din visited Secretary Wildlife and Fisheries office in Muzaffarabad AJ&K and briefed the Secretary about PSLEP project background, objectives and project components. Mr. Ashiq Ahmad Khan, Mr. Shoaib Hameed Regional Program Manager PSLEP (AJ&K region), Director Wildlife AJ&K and Deputy Director Wildlife AJ&K were also present at the occasion.
The Regional Program Manager PSLEP AJ&K presented the project progress in 2019-20 and work plan for 3rd and 4th Quarter 2020. Mr. Jaffar Ud Din informed the Secretary that apart from landscape management, the PSLEP project has focus on capacity building of community, wildlife staff and youth through trainings and field activities.
The component of conservation education is aimed to create awareness and enhance knowledge of the local youth about wildlife and impacts of climate change on snow leopard habitats. The Secretary expressed satisfaction on the project progress and appreciated the efforts of SLF/ PSLEP team in implementing the project components in Shounther and Gurez valleys.
He offered complete support and cooperation from Department of Wildlife and Fisheries AJ&K in the project implementation. Later, a meeting was held with the Director Wildlife Mr. Naeem Iftikhar Dar at his office to discuss the implementation and execution of various project activities planned for the year 2020.
By: SLF Admin 
