Islamabad: Government officials, humanitarian organizations, development partners and climate experts gathered in Islamabad for a two-day national seminar aimed at expanding Nature-based Solutions in Pakistan.
The event, organized by WWF-Pakistan in collaboration with the Pakistan Red Crescent Society, focused on practical ways to use natural systems to reduce climate risks, protect biodiversity and strengthen disaster resilience across the country.
The seminar brought together senior government representatives, policymakers, academia, civil society organizations and private-sector stakeholders to discuss how nature-based approaches can be better integrated into climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction and sustainable development planning.
Amir Mohyuddin, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, said Pakistan is facing changing flood patterns as monsoon systems shift westward and floods increasingly appear in the form of glacial lake outburst floods and urban flooding.
He said healthy forests, rangelands, wetlands and protected areas are important for biodiversity conservation and climate resilience. He also acknowledged the work of WWF-Pakistan and PRCS in promoting practical nature-based interventions.
WWF-Pakistan Highlights Climate Resilience Work
Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General of WWF-Pakistan, said the organization has been developing and scaling interventions such as floating treatment wetlands, gabion bunds, check dams and recharge wells.
He said these measures are designed to improve water security, reduce flood risks, restore ecosystems and support communities vulnerable to climate impacts.
According to WWF-Pakistan, its Water Resource Accountability in Pakistan project has implemented more than 320 nature-based interventions across 16 districts in Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab over the past five years, benefiting more than 500,000 people.
WWF-Pakistan said it is now preparing to implement the Recharge Pakistan initiative across the Indus Basin. The project is expected to directly benefit more than 680,000 people and strengthen climate resilience for over seven million people.
Partnerships And Policy Support Discussed
Farzhana Naek, Chairperson of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society, said wider implementation will require stronger institutional coordination, supportive policy frameworks, sustainable financing and local community participation.
Participants also discussed lessons from field experiences across Pakistan and reviewed policy, financing and innovation needs for expanding nature-based approaches at scale.
The discussions emphasized cooperation among government institutions, humanitarian organizations, academia, civil society and the private sector as Pakistan faces rising climate, water and disaster-related challenges.
Also Read: Cyclathon 2025 Unites WWF-Pakistan and Beaconhouse for Greener Cities Across Pakistan
Today's E-Paper