CHITRAL: Snow Leopard Foundation Chitral organized closing ceremony of one of its USAID-SGAFP funded project in Chitral. The project closing ceremony was attended by large number of NGOs head, government officer, community activists and media persons. Divisional Forest Officer Wildlife Imtiaz Hussain was Chief Guest on the occasion. Hafeez Buzdar, Director Conservation SFL gave detail presentation about its organization and the phasing out project which was funded by USAID-Small Grant Ambassador’s Fund Program. It was told that Snow Leopard Foundation undertook a project “Snow Leopard Conservation Through Practical Measures in Six Villages of District Chitral”. This project executed in the villages of Mori Payeen, Barghuzi, Koghuzi, Kuju Payeen, Bokhtuli and Parsan. Under the USAID-SGAFP project SLF Chitral has helped the communities in construction of predator’s proof corral, training community workers in animal husbandry, livestock vaccination and providing environmental education student through the establishment of students Nature Clubs.
Mr. Imtiaz Hussain, Divisional Forest Officer Wildlife in his speech lauded the work of SFL and thanked USAID-SGAFP for supporting the communities. He urged on the importance of wildlife in Chitral and said that the communities must be tolerant to wildlife species, which were our precious wealth. DFO said that Chitral was habitat of precious wildlife thus ecotourism could be promoted here. He said that other organizations should also work in conservation sector to strengthen the important area. He ensure full favor to the organizations.