Climate change a threat to snow leopards

PESHAWAR: International Snow Leopard Day was observed in Chitral to highlight the significance of the iconic wildcat in the local environment.

A function was held at a school in Koghuzi village of Lower Chitral and participated by civil society activists and conservationists.

The function was organised by Snow Leopard Foundation (SLF), according to a statement issued here.

Altaf Ali Shah, divisional forest officer wildlife department, Jamiullah Sherazi, regional program manager of SLF, and others spoke on the occasion.

They said the day marked the anniversary of signing of the landmark Bishkek Declaration on the conservation of the majestic big cat, signed on October 23, 2013, at the first Global Forum on Conservation of Snow Leopard in Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek.

They highlighted the importance of snow leopards in keeping ecosystems intact and threats posed by climate change to them and the societies sharing the landscapes with these vulnerable cats.

Souvenirs were presented to the guests. Later, the participants also attended an awareness walk.–Dawn