Islamabad:President Asif Ali Zardari has called on citizens, communities and authorities to join forces in safeguarding wildlife and preserving natural habitats in the country, warning that environmental degradation directly affects livelihoods and economic stability.
In a World Wildlife Day message, the president extended greetings to conservationists and organisations working to safeguard biodiversity across the country. He noted that Pakistan’s diverse ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, mountains and coastal regions, were vital to agriculture, water systems and rural livelihoods.
“Pakistan is home to remarkable biodiversity and a range of ecosystems that support agriculture, water systems and livelihoods. These natural assets remain under increasing pressure from habitat loss, climate change, illegal hunting and the unsustainable use of land and water,” he said.
The president said that the consequences of environmental damage were already being felt at the community level. He said shrinking forests contributed to soil erosion and flooding, degraded wetlands undermine farmers’ and fishermen’s incomes and that the disappearance of wildlife disrupted ecological systems that sustained crops, grazing lands and clean water supplies.
“These are not distant concerns. The impact extends from rural villages to urban markets and households dependent on natural resources," he said. President Zardari highlighted ongoing efforts to improve habitat protection, strengthen enforcement against illegal hunting and promote community-led conservation initiatives. He also underscored the importance of awareness programmes in schools and local institutions, saying that long-term protection depends on informed and responsible citizens.
Describing wildlife conservation as a “practical responsibility,” the president called for cooperation between public authorities and local communities, alongside respect for environmental laws. “On this day, I encourage all citizens to play their part in safeguarding the natural resources that sustain our country,” he said.
