WWF introduces livestock insurance scheme

Initiative aims at protecting farmers against financial losses

KARACHI:

The WWF Pakistan, in collaboration with an insurance company, has introduced a new livestock insurance scheme aimed at compensating farmers for losses of domestic animals caused by wildlife.

According to a spokesperson of WWF Pakistan, the initiative will provide financial protection to farmers in case of damage caused by wild animals, including attacks by leopards and other predators. The scheme is expected to play a key role in reducing human–wildlife conflict.

The project will be implemented in high-risk areas, including Ayubia National Park and Khunjerab National Park, where wildlife-related livestock losses are more common. In Khunjerab alone, 499 livestock deaths were reported in 2023, while six snow leopards were killed between 2015 and 2023.

Under the scheme, verified losses will be compensated promptly. Officials said the initiative will also help reduce incidents of retaliation against wild animals after livestock attacks.

Local communities and wildlife departments will be involved in the project, which will also introduce livestock tagging and monitoring systems. The model is expected to be expanded to other regions of the country in the future.

The spokesperson added that the initiative aims to provide financial security to farmers, reduce their economic hardship, and help them sustain their livelihoods in a more stable manner.