The Snow Leopard Foundation (SLF) will organise a 23-minute hike at Trail 5 in Islamabad on the eve of International Snow Leopard Day, observed globally on October 23.
According to a statement issued by the SLF on Wednesday, the Snow Leopard Foundation (SLF) Pakistan, in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC), Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB), and Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University (PMAS-AAUR), will commemorate International Snow Leopard Day tomorrow, October 23, with a 23-minute hike on Trail 5, Islamabad, under the global campaign “#23for23 – 23 Minutes for Snow Leopards.”
The campaign, initiated by the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP), encourages individuals, institutions, and communities around the world to dedicate 23 minutes of physical activity, such as walking, running, cycling, or hiking, to celebrate the snow leopard’s strength, agility, and resilience, while promoting awareness about its conservation.
A large number of participants, including representatives from MoCC&EC, IWMB, faculty and students of PMAS-AAUR, media professionals, and members of civil society, are expected to join the hike. The event will highlight Pakistan’s commitment to protecting the endangered snow leopard and conserving its fragile mountain ecosystem.
The Snow Leopard Foundation has been leading conservation initiatives across Pakistan through scientific research, education, and community-based projects. Earlier this year, SLF completed the country’s first-ever Snow Leopard Population Census, providing scientifically verified data on the species’ distribution and numbers, marking a major milestone in wildlife research.
Through its ongoing projects in Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, SLF continues to work closely with local communities to reduce human-wildlife conflict and protect mountain biodiversity.
The event aims to inspire collective action and reaffirm Pakistan’s role in global snow leopard conservation efforts.
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