LAHORE: Conservationists who struggled to protect the environment and sensitised the masses through their efforts were honored were awards to acknowledge their struggle and motivate others.
In this connection, WWF-Pakistan organised Syed Asad Ali Conservation Award, Women in Nature Conservation Award and The Living Planet Award distribution ceremony here.
Syed Asad Ali Award for Nature Conservation named after late Syed Asad Ali for his contributions to nature conservation in Pakistan. This year nominee for the award was a Lal Bibi from Lasbella, Balochistan. She was presented the award, certificate and cheque by WWF-Pakistan President (Emeritus) Syed Babar Ali.
Lal Bibi, founder of the Sahil Women Welfare Society, received this award for her untiring efforts to promote sustainable fishing practices in Gadani Town, Balochistan. Lal Bibi has also helped 60 fisherfolk families in improving the quality of fish catch by providing them insulated fish boxes. Her most significant contribution to conservation was rescuing 200-stranded pan-tropical spotted dolphins in Gadani by leading a group of fishermen during a 15-hour operation, which resulted in the safe rescue and release of the dolphins.
WWF-Pakistan initiated the Women in Nature Conservation Award in 2012 to recognise the significant role of women in the management and conservation of natural resources. This award was inspired by the Syed Asad Ali Conservation Award’s motive of recognising communities involved in nature conservation.
This year the award was presented to Nuzhat Siddiqui and Nazia Ihsan. Brigadier (r) Mukhtar Ahmad, Vice President Emeritus, WWF-Pakistan, presented the awards, certificates and cheques to the recipients.
Nuzhat Siddiqui, an environmental educationist, is carrying out capacity building activities in 630 city government schools and has also co-authored a publication titled Sehatmand Mahol aur Khawateen, published by WWF-Pakistan under its Indus for All Programme (IFAP). Nazia Ihsan, a government schoolteacher in Khanispur, Abbottabad district established 16 nature clubs in her school and trained almost 1,000 students in natural resource conservation activities.
The Living Planet Award was established in 2007, and is awarded to non-government organisations, community-based organisations or researchers that have made a unique and promising contribution to nature conservation. This year, WWF-Pakistan presented two living planet awards. Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General, WWF-Pakistan presented the award to Himalayan Wildlife Foundation, Islamabad for conducting an outstanding project on the conservation of Mahseer fish in Poonch River and Mangla dam. The second award was given to Keenjhar Maroonara Welfare and Development Organisation, Thatta for the determined efforts to protect partridges in Jhimpir, Thatta.
