Maintaining balance: K-P wildlife dept raises awareness on preservation

Wildlife officials have started visiting different schools in Peshawar to give presentations about wildlife

PESHAWAR:

The wildlife department has started holding public awareness sessions at schools to promote biodiversity as well as the protection of animals and the natural environment.

Several animals and birds in the province are on the verge of extinction due to illegal trade, pollution, deforestation and lack of awareness among the public, District Forest Officer (DFO) Niaz Muhammad told The Express Tribune.

Wildlife officials have started visiting different schools in Peshawar to give presentations about the importance of wildlife and its role in maintaining biodiversity. “We have to raise awareness among the youth to safeguard animals from extinction,” emphasised
the DFO.

“The public is unaware that animals maintain balance in the universe,” added Muhammad. He said the natural cycle of the environment should not be disturbed. “It is imperative to create public awareness about the destructive consequences of wildlife trafficking and poaching.”

He added as long as the public continues to kill and capture animals, we face an irreversible threat to our ecology, environment, economies and security. “With plenty of exotic wildlife, water reservoirs, mountains and forests, it becomes the duty of every citizen, besides the government, to protect wildlife.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 8^th, 2014.