World Migratory Bird Day Celebrated with Enthusiasm at Quetta Balochistan
In celebration of World Bird Migratory Day, the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Program’s Wildlife Component organized a remarkable event at Serina Hotel in Quetta. The event, held on May 13, 2023, was graced by the presence of esteemed guests from various disciplines, including academia scholars, researchers, and students. The Chief Guest for the occasion was Mr. Noor Ahmed Pirkani, Secretary Forest & Wildlife Department, Government of Balochistan.
The Seminar was attended by Mr. Abdul Saboor Kakar (Secretary Law and Parliamentary Affairs Department), Mr. Zahoor Ahmed Bazai (Vice-Chancellor of Loralai University), and Mr. Babar Yousafzai (Coordinator to the Honorable Chief Minister). The event was also graced by the presence of Syed Ghulam Muhammad (Chief Conservator of Forest), Sharif-Ud-Din Baloch (Chief Conservator of Wildlife), Syed Ali Imran (Project Director of Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Program Forestry Component Balochistan), and various Divisional Conservators, including Muhammad Amin Mengal (Conservator of Forests Loarali), Hafiz Muhammad Jan (Conservator of Forests Sibi), Muhammad Iqbal Zehri (Conservator of Forests), Mr. Umer Farooq (Conservator of Forests), Rana Mazhar Liaquat (Conservator of Forests Watershed), Ibrahim Mengal (Conservator of Forests Watershed), Mr. Arz Muhammad (Conservator of Wildlife), Mr. Fawad Siddique (Deputy Conservator of Forests Quetta), Dr. Essa Quresh (Deputy Conservator of Forests), Mr. Jaffar Baloch (Deputy Conservator of Forests Admin), Mr. Maqbool Bangulzai (Deputy Conservator of Forests Hazarganji Chiltan National Park), Mr. Saeed Achakzai (Deputy Conservator of Forests Mianghundi Recreational Park), Mr. Ovais Akbar (Divisional Forest Officer Khuzdar), Syed Abdul Hakeem (Divisional Forest Officer Killa Abdullah), Mr. Mehmood (Assistant Conservator of Wildlife), Mr. Farooq Kakar (Soil Conservation Officer) and other field officers.
The purpose of celebrating World Migratory Bird Day is multifaceted and encompasses several key objectives. Firstly, the event aims to raise awareness about the importance of migratory birds and their extraordinary journeys across vast distances. By highlighting the incredible feats of these birds, the celebration seeks to foster a deeper understanding of their ecological significance and the need to protect their habitats.
Secondly, World Migratory Bird Day serves as a platform for promoting conservation efforts and mobilizing collective action. The event brings together diverse stakeholders, including government bodies, organizations, researchers, educators, and the public, to collaborate and discuss strategies for the conservation of migratory birds. It aims to inspire individuals to take proactive measures, such as supporting habitat conservation, mitigating threats, and advocating for policies that ensure the well-being of migratory bird populations.
Overall, the celebration of World Migratory Bird Day strives to create a global movement for the protection of migratory birds, promoting their conservation, and emphasizing the critical role they play in maintaining healthy ecosystems worldwide.
The event drew a large number of participants from academia, civil society, and the general public. Distinguished individuals such as Dr. Rabia Zafar (Sardar Bahadur Khan Women Univsersity), Dr. Saeed Sb, Dr. Ayesha Mehrab (University of Balochistan), Syed Qurban Gharsheen (Civil Society), Sardar Alluddin Loni (Focal Person Balochistan Forest Department), and Malik Rasheed Kakar (Civil Society) were present to contribute to the discussions and share their expertise. Notably, students from different schools participated in the event and delivered inspiring speeches on World Migratory Bird Day. Aarisha Javid of Class 2 (Cant Public Girls School and College), Abdul Rehman of Class 4 (Dar-e-Arqam School), Taiba Sarwary (Class 8), Shed Hassan (Class 7th) and Rahmatullah Haqnawaz (Class 10th) from Meritorious Public High School and Government Girls High School Ameen Abad were especially recognized for their remarkable speeches.
The success of the event was attributed to the dedicated team of the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Program’s Wildlife Component in Balochistan. Led by Mr. Niaz Khan Kakar (the Project Director of TBTTP Wildlife), the team included Mr. Naeem Javid Muhammad Hassani (Conservator of Forests M&E TBTTP) and other members who played integral roles. Akhtar Jan’s captivating recitation, Rizwana Sarwary’s exceptional hosting, Najia’s constant support, Dost Ali Nawaz’s amazing documentary, Muhammad Zulfiqar’s vote of thanks, Sehrish’s prompt arrangements at Serena Hotel, Jalil Agha, and Hina Liza Malik’s tireless work, Awais, Abeer, Abdullah, and Yasir’s attention to detail and capturing every moment, Malik Salarzai’s handling of management matters, and Aliya, Zeba, and Fatima’s guest management and registration were all crucial to the event’s success.
The World Bird Migratory Day event organized by the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Program’s Wildlife Component in collaboration with the esteemed guests, students, and the dedicated organizing team served as a remarkable platform for raising awareness about bird conservation and fostering a sense of responsibility towards the protection of migratory birds and their habitats. The event facilitated meaningful discussions, knowledge sharing, and networking among attendees, leading to a deeper understanding of the importance of bird migration and the need for conservation efforts.
The Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Program’s Wildlife Component in Balochistan demonstrated its commitment to environmental sustainability and wildlife protection through the successful organization of the World Bird Migratory Day event. The contributions of Mr. Niaz Khan Kakar, the Project Director of TBTTP Wildlife, were particularly lauded for his exceptional leadership, which played a pivotal role in ensuring the event’s success.
The event showcased the collaboration between government bodies, academia, civil society, and the general public in their shared commitment to preserving the remarkable phenomenon of bird migration. By bringing together experts and enthusiasts from various disciplines, the event promoted a holistic approach to bird conservation, emphasizing the significance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing environmental challenges.
The World Bird Migratory Day event held not only celebrated the beauty and importance of bird migration but also highlighted the urgency to protect these magnificent creatures and their habitats. It served as a powerful reminder of the collective responsibility we bear towards preserving the natural world for future generations.
The event also provided a platform for students to showcase their talent and passion for bird conservation. Aarisha Javid, a second-grade student, Abdul Rehman, Taiba Sarwary, Syed Hassan, and Rehmatullah Haqnawaz delivered inspiring speeches that resonated with the audience. Their heartfelt words emphasized the need for collective action to safeguard the habitats of migratory birds and protect their populations.
The event garnered extensive coverage from both print and electronic media, ensuring that the message of bird conservation reached a wider audience. As a token of appreciation, special World Migratory Bird Day shields were presented to all the honorable guests, while the participating students received cash prizes and recognition for their outstanding contributions.
At the conclusion of the World Migratory Bird Day, a vibrant awareness walk took place, bringing together participants from various sectors including government departments, academia, civil society, media, and students.
As the event concluded, it left a lasting impact on the attendees, inspiring them to actively participate in conservation activities and contribute to the ongoing efforts of the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Program’s Wildlife Component. With continued dedication and collaborative initiatives, the protection of migratory birds and the preservation of their habitats will remain at the forefront of environmental conservation in Balochistan.
