GILGIT: Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, Haji Gulbar Khan said that Gilgit-Baltistan is rich in natural resources and most of its area is covered in forests which support wildlife. He said the success was due to the efforts of Khunjerab National Park, Khunjerab Village Residents Organization and Ghulki Conservation Committee.
He was speaking at an event organized by the Ministry of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment on Thursday to distribute 75 percent of the entrance fee to Khunjerab National Park.
The Prime Minister emphasized the need to replicate this success in other national parks and urged the community to learn from the experience of the Khunjerab Village Residents’ Organization. He also highlighted the importance of nature conservation activities in other districts like Darel, Tangir and Astor where there is ample scope for conservation and public interest.
The Prime Minister visited the provincial forest minister Haji Shah Beg and the forest secretary of Darel, Tangir and Astor and ordered to create awareness among the public about nature conservation and its benefits and to activate the nature conservation committee. He said, some people try to create a negative image about the creation of the national park which is not based on facts. CM GB said, “Establishment of a national park for the benefit of the wider area and the people in question can benefit a lot from them as seen by the success of Khunjerab National Park”.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, the Prime Minister announced a program to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Khunjerab National Park in which the conservation committee and communities from other national parks will participate to raise awareness about the creation and benefits of the national park. Also, the Prime Minister distributed checks worth 2 million 66 million 94 thousand 864 and 9,439 dollars to the Khunjerab Citizens’ Organization and 23 million 21 thousand 293 and 821 dollars to the Ghulki Protection Committee.
