KARACHI: The World Wildlife Fund-Pakistan has developed a smartphone application for citizens to report wildlife crimes in the South Asian country, it said on Monday.
Pakistan is home to majestic wildlife, including common and snow leopards, brown and black bears, Indian pangolins, freshwater and sea turtles, Indus River dolphins, and diverse species of resident and migratory birds.
However, these wildlife species continue to face serious threats from wildlife crimes such as illegal trade, poaching, hunting and ill-treatment, according to WWF-Pakistan.
It said the application has been developed to report wildlife crimes and coordinate “meaningful” actions by government departments and law enforcement agencies against these crimes.
“Addressing wildlife crimes requires an inclusive approach involving government departments, law enforcement agencies, civil society, and local communities,” WWF-Pakistan quoted its director-general, Hammad Naqi Khan, as saying in a statement.
“Tackling such crimes could be improved by building capacity, fostering collaboration, raising awareness, and creating enabling conditions that integrate the expertise of AI (artificial intelligence) specialists, conservation experts, and members of local communities.”
Wildlife and their habitats are essential for the economic and social well-being of communities and nations. Effective wildlife conservation requires innovative technologies, effective policies, and community engagement plans to ensure local populations recognize the value of coexistence with wildlife, according to WWF-Pakistan.
Advanced technologies such as software applications, AI, camera traps, and satellite data can help address wildlife threats, monitor conservation performance, and promote effective strategies for the protection of threatened wildlife.
Khan said the WWF-Pakistan application would create a platform for wildlife officials, conservation experts and the public to interact and share valuable information about illegal wildlife activities.
“To protect the wildlife, we need to work together and take immediate action to combat wildlife crime as it is one of the key reasons for species decline at local, national, and international levels,” he added.
A link to the WWF-Pakistan application will soon be available on the Google Play Store, according to WWF-Pakistan.
“This application will report and collect data on wildlife crimes, enabling the relevant departments and agencies to take action against wildlife criminals,” it said.
WWF-Pakistan develops mobile phone app to report wildlife crimes
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WWF-Pakistan develops mobile phone app to report wildlife crimes
- Pakistan is home to majestic wildlife, including leopards, bears, Indian pangolins, Indus River dolphins, and diverse species of resident and migratory birds
- The WWF-Pakistan app will report and collect data on wildlife crimes, enabling the relevant departments and agencies to take action against wildlife criminals
Pakistan, US discuss boosting anti-narcotics cooperation, pledge stronger ties
- Mohsin Naqvi highlights Pakistan’s ‘zero-tolerance policy,’ says National Narcotics Coordination Center to be set up soon
- ANF operations this year led to seizure of 134 tons of drugs, arrests of over 2,000 suspects, including 75 foreign nationals
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States vowed to strengthen bilateral ties with a special focus on anti-narcotics cooperation during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and acting US ambassador Natalie Baker on Saturday, said an official statement.
The talks covered intelligence sharing, joint efforts to curb drug trafficking and measures to prevent illegal immigration.
Pakistani officials also briefed the meeting on recent operations by the Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) and plans to modernize screening and enforcement at airports.
“We are strictly implementing a zero-tolerance policy on narcotics,” Naqvi said, according to the Interior Ministry.
“Airports are being equipped with the most advanced scanning machines, and detecting drug smuggling at every possible stage is our top priority,” he continued, adding that drugs originating from Afghanistan were reaching dozens of countries and “destroying the younger generation.”
Naqvi said Pakistan would welcome US technical assistance for counter-narcotics efforts and confirmed that a National Narcotics Coordination Center would be established soon.
The statement said Baker offered US support for Pakistan’s work to combat narcotics and prevent illegal immigration, saying Washington attached “special importance” to its relationship with Pakistan and would continue cooperation across sectors.
During the meeting, Pakistani officials presented a detailed briefing on ANF operations, noting that under the annual counter-narcotics campaign, 134 tons of drugs had been seized, 2,001 suspects, including 75 foreign national, arrested and narcotics worth $12.797 billion confiscated.
Authorities also reported arresting 110 Afghan nationals in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh provinces, clearing 40,659 acres of poppy cultivation and maintaining poppy-free status in several regions.
Naqvi said Pakistan regarded ties with the US as important for promoting regional peace and stability and remained committed to strengthening long-standing bilateral relations.
The meeting was also attended by the interior secretary, the ANF director general, the director of enforcement and officials from the US embassy.
