Chitral (Chitral Express): A special awareness event was held at Government Higher Secondary School, Sor Laspur, on International Snow Leopard Day (23 October), under the auspices of Snow Leopard Foundation Pakistan and the Chitral Gol National Park Wildlife Division, Chitral. The event aimed to raise awareness of the importance of the snow leopard, the protection of its natural habitat, the threats it faces, and the role young people and students can play in conserving biodiversity.
Those attending included the school’s female and male students, teachers and community elders, along with Snow Leopard Foundation Regional Programme Manager Jamiullah Shirazi, Assistant District Education Officer (Planning and Development) for Upper Chitral Jamil Ahmad, and Community Mobilizer Saifullah Jan.
At the start of the event, students delivered speeches in Urdu and English about the snow leopard’s ecological role, the threats it faces and young people’s responsibilities in its conservation. The students pledged to play their part as ambassadors by spreading environmental awareness among their families and the local population.
Addressing the event, Government Higher Secondary School, Sor Laspur Principal Fayyaz Ali thanked the Snow Leopard Foundation and said that educational activities of this kind are an important step in promoting environmentally conscious thinking among students and mobilizing them to protect natural resources.
Snow Leopard Foundation Regional Programme Manager Jamiullah Shirazi said snow leopard conservation is linked to protecting the entire mountain ecosystem and its biodiversity. He highlighted threats including illegal hunting, global warming and human-wildlife conflict. He stressed that local people’s cooperation, and students in particular becoming “conservation ambassadors,” are the guarantee of the survival of natural resources.
In his address, Upper Chitral Education Department Assistant District Education Officer Jamil Ahmad said educational institutions play a key role in raising children’s awareness of protecting the natural environment. He called for stronger cooperation among educational institutions, wildlife departments and local communities.
During the event, community representatives Akbar and Rahmatullah Jan praised the conservation and welfare activities being carried out by the Snow Leopard Foundation in the area. The Foundation’s Community Mobilizer Saifullah Jan thanked the school administration and students for their strong participation.
At the conclusion, honorary shields were distributed to students who had performed exceptionally and to distinguished guests. The Snow Leopard Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to continuing efforts to protect the snow leopard and its natural habitat in partnership with local communities and government departments.
Source: Original Urdu report.
Muhammad Nayab Khan is a seasoned Freelance Journalist, Media Professional, and Enterprise Development expert based in Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Holding an MBA in Finance from Punjab University, he brings a unique economic and digital perspective to media storytelling, corporate branding, and regional development. He maintains active professional affiliations with Qashqar TV (First PEMRA Licensed WebTV in Chitral) and Chitral Express (Chitral’s Largest News Network), where he contributes high-impact digital content, editorial visuals, and comprehensive coverage of regional socio-economic issues. As a multi-faceted entrepreneur and media creator, Nayab combines sharp investigative insight with advanced visual communication to highlight local narratives on regional and national platforms.
