A meeting with all stakeholders for consultation on National Wildlife Policy held at Ministry of Climate Change chaired by Inspector General Forest Syed Mehmood Nasir . Inspector General Forests Syed Mehmood Nasir told the participants got approval for minutes of previous meeting. He also told the participants that Secretary Ministry of Climate Change sent letters to all provinces as a reminder to submit their comments and all provinces submitted their comments except Sindh. He further told that International Union for Conservation of Nature in Pakistan agreed to hold a consultative workshop on National Wild Life Policy. Mr.Mehmood Akhtar Cheema Country representative of International Union for Conservation of Nature in Pakistan told the participants that concept note has been prepared for this consultative workshop. He also highlighted that all other policies including Forests policy, climate change policy and wetland policies must be reviewed first to formulate National Wild Life Policy. Inspector General forests asked the IUCN to invite all stakeholders in the workshop including representatives from fisheries, tourism and custom departments of Pakistan. It was also suggested during meeting that Ministry of Defense can be asked to nominate their representatives to attend this meeting to consult on wildlife issues which fall in areas under the jurisdiction of forces. Dr.Ali Nawaz from Snow Leopard Trust highlighted that human wildlife conflict should be considered in this policy. He further added this is an issue of all provinces that will be increased with passage of time. So it should be given due importance. He also pointed out lack of job opportunities for students who are opting professional wildlife studies. He stressed upon developing linkages among academia, research and students on wildlife. It was decided to distribute zero draft among all stakeholders in which they will incorporate their comments in writing for next meeting. The meeting was attended by representatives from AJK wild Life department, Khyber Pukhtoonkhawa Wildlife Department, WWF Pakistan, Khyber Pukhtoonkhawa Forest Department, Punjab wildlife department and officers of Ministry of Climate Change.
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