Society for Conservation of Biology (SCB), a US based international professional organisation dedicated to advancing the science and practice of conserving earth, has honoured an environmentalist from Pakistan, Dr Mumtaz Malik for its prestigious annual `Distinguished Service Award'.
"Dr Malik, former Chief Conservator NWFP Wildlife Department, has been selected for the prestigious SCB's `Distinguished Service Award' for his extraordinary contributions to conservation biology", reads a message sent by SCB to Dr Malik.
The SCB has offered travelling and lodging expenses to Dr Malik for receiving the award in Canada during July 2010 during 24th International Congress for Conservation Biology to be held at Edmonton, Alberta (Canada).
Dr Malik is not only the first Pakistani, but also first representative of any Muslim country who will receive this award. The SCB, which is a global community of conservation professionals, is conferring awards since 1987 and the list of recipients does not include name of any Pakistani or an environmentalist from any Muslim country.
Talking to APP, Dr Malik, while expressing jubilation over the announcement, has termed it as honour for Pakistan. He said he is satisfied that his contribution for conservation of bio-diversity have been acknowledged and honoured by organisation of international repute. He also shared the honour will his team at the NWFP Wildlife department, which worked along with him day and night for the protection and conservation of wild species.
It merits a mention here that Dr Mumtaz Malik has made remarkable contribution in conservation of wildlife in NWFP in general and Pakistan in particular.
He joined the NWFP Wildlife department in 1975 when it was a wing of Forest Department. But when Dr Malik left the department on reaching superannuation, the wildlife department was a full-fledged institute with majority of its DFOs having Doctorate degree from universities of United States.
During his tenure, five national parks in Ayubia, Chitral, Sheikh Badin, Saiful Malook and Lalashure, three wildlife sanctuaries in Agram Basti, Borakka and Manshi and 36 games reserves have been set up in NWFP with the objective of wildlife and biodiversity's conservation and protection.
He is also the architect of Markhor Trophy Hunting Programme as a result of which Pakistan enjoys the distinction of having largest population of the wild specie.
Dr Malik said conferring of award by SCB has encouraged him and imbibed a new spirit to work more for conservation and protection of nature in future.