Snow Leopard to Become Pakistan’s International Symbol for Climate Change Adaptation

At the Pakistan Wildlife Protection Awards, Romina Khursheed Alam, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change, emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to making the snow leopard a global symbol of mountain ecology and climate adaptation.

The COP29 summit of the UNFCCC, set for November 11-22, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan, offers a crucial platform to advocate for the snow leopard as a global symbol of mountain ecology and climate adaptation.

In March 2024, at the GSLEP steering committee meeting in Samarkand, members emphasized the snow leopard’s vital role in mountain ecosystems and agreed to seek official recognition from the UN Secretary-General of the species as a symbol of ecological and climate resilience.

Asia’s high mountains, known as the “third pole,” contain the world’s 14 tallest peaks and are warming at twice the rate of the Northern Hemisphere. This rapid warming affects glaciers and ecosystems in the Himalayas, Hindu Kush, Pamir, Tien Shan, Altai Mountains, and Tibetan Plateau.

Pakistan, which manages 80,000 square kilometers of snow leopard habitat and is highly vulnerable to climate change, has experienced substantial glacier retreat in the past 20 years, impacting agriculture, water resources, hydroelectric power, and wildlife.

Romina Khursheed Alam highlighted the importance of national and international collaboration to address climate change. She pointed out that rising temperatures and extreme weather are threatening ecosystems and wildlife, stressing the need for stronger conservation efforts.

Alam also noted that designating the snow leopard as a symbol of climate resilience would improve Pakistan’s reputation for sustainable development.

Dr. Muhammad Ali Nawaz, Director of the Snow Leopard Foundation, expressed appreciation for the support in recognizing the snow leopard as an international symbol. He highlighted its importance for wildlife conservation and recalled a 2007 study where SLF scientists tracked a snow leopard across 1,600 square kilometers between Afghanistan and Pakistan, underscoring the need for cross-border conservation.