HEAL organizes awareness program on ‘Ladakh’s Biodiversity at Risk’ at Kargil Campus, UoL.

HEAL organizes awareness program on ‘Ladakh’s Biodiversity at Risk’ at Kargil Campus, UoL.
Kargil, Nov 04, 2024: High-Altitude Environment and Education Alliance (HEAL) Ladakh in collaboration with University of Ladakh today organized an awareness program on “Ladakh’s Biodiversity at Risk” at the varsity’s Kargil Campus.
Member of Parliament Ladakh, Mohmad Hanifa Jan was the chief guest, while Executive Councilor, RDD, Cooperatives, FCS&CA, Forest & Wildlife, and Information, LAHDC Kargil, Er. Punchok Tashi was the guest of honour. Other prominent attendees included Dr. Mehboob Ali, In-Charge Administration, University of Ladakh; Director HEAL-Ladakh, Iftikhar Hussain; Assistant Project Officer from WWF, Mohd Kazim; as well as professors and assistant professors from the UoL.
The MP Ladakh expressed gratitude and pride in taking part in such an intellectually engaging program dedicated to raising awareness about Ladakh’s rich biodiversity. He praised the efforts of various organizations, particularly HEAL and WWF volunteers, for their initiatives in biodiversity conservation.
He also commended Director, HEAL, Iftikhar Hussain for his remarkable dedication to conservation work, noting that the director had foregone significant global opportunities to focus on research and conservation in Ladakh, his homeland.
Mohmad Hanifa Jan assured the academic and intellectual community that he would support their initiatives, emphasizing that their valuable inputs would be considered in nation-building and planning efforts, particularly for the future development of Ladakh.
EC Er. Punchok Tashi extended his appreciation to HEAL’s Director for promoting vital ecological awareness and for making significant contributions to biodiversity conservation. He invited scholars, intellectuals, and community stakeholders to join efforts in safeguarding biodiversity and environment. He assured that LAHDC Kargil would be open to supporting valuable insights and solutions for these pressing issues.
Dr. Iftikhar Hussain, Director HEAL, presented an overview of HEAL Ladakh’s efforts and the Wildlife Conservation Action Plan for Kargil. His presentation emphasized target species, such as the Snow Leopard and Himalayan Brown Bear, identified as flagship species, and highlighted threats like habitat encroachment, disturbance, and degradation.
He outlined strategies and plans for biodiversity conservation, addressing the challenges HEAL faces in this field. Dr. Hussain concluded his presentation by calling on communities and stakeholders to collaborate with HEAL in protecting Ladakh’s unique biodiversity.
In the end, awards and mementos were distributed by the guests, while both the chief guest and guest of honour presented tokens of appreciation to attendees for their contributions to the cause.