ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Musadik Malik on Tuesday called for stronger and coordinated efforts to address climate change, saying its growing impacts are posing serious threats to Pakistan’s biodiversity, freshwater ecosystems and aquatic wildlife.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Indus Dolphin Ambulance, launched by Zong in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the minister said the Indus River is not only the cradle of one of the world’s oldest civilizations but also the habitat of the endangered Indus blind dolphin, a unique symbol of Pakistan’s natural heritage.
He said protecting the rare freshwater dolphin is a collective responsibility and stressed the importance of conserving biodiversity and river ecosystems in the face of increasing climate-related challenges.
Dr Malik noted that climate change is adversely affecting rivers, wildlife and aquatic species, making effective climate action and stronger collaboration among all stakeholders more important than ever.
He appreciated the conservation efforts undertaken by the federal and provincial governments, saying continued initiatives had played an important role in protecting the Indus blind dolphin and its natural habitat.
The minister also commended Zong and WWF for introducing the Indus Dolphin Ambulance, describing it as an innovative initiative that will enhance rescue, rehabilitation and conservation efforts for the endangered species.
He urged government institutions, conservation organisations and the public to work together to safeguard Pakistan’s rivers, wildlife and biodiversity, emphasizing that protecting natural ecosystems is essential for a sustainable future.
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