Pakistan is a significant country rich in biodiversity in South Asia and actively involved in conservation of species and habitats including birds of prey. The significance of conservation needs for birds of prey is further realized on account of presence of dozens of falcons and other raptor species and many are migratory in nature and having endangered status. The Ministry of Climate Change Islamabad Pakistan being the focal institution is committed to take legal policy and advisory measures for conservation of birds of prey under CBD, CMS & CITES through the support of Provinces. In this regard, Pakistan being a signatory to CMS Raptors MOU specifically with reference to the Section 12 of the MOU, the Ministry intends to develop National Raptor Conservation Strategy, as per CMS guidelines. . The proposed strategy will be defining the issues and threats along with collection and analysis of raptors population data to achieve conservation goals and through a successful national action plan.

A tripartite MOU has been signed between the Ministry of Climate Change Pakistan, International Association for Falconry & Conservation Birds of Prey (IAF) and Raptor Centre for Conservation & Rehabilitation Pakistan (RCCRP) for the conservation and species persistence in its socio-cultural environment. The CMS Raptors MoU covers the issues, inter alia, employing international cooperation on the conservation of birds of prey, especially the migrants.

Since becoming a Party to UNESCO’s Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) and the declaration, by UNESCO, of falconry as a Living Human Heritage in 18 countries, Pakistan is obligated to safeguard falconry as Intangible Cultural Heritage. Pakistan Falconry Association (PFA), Lok-Virsa, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Islamabad, and Pakistan National Commission of UNESCO played a significant role in   inscription of Falconry as Culture Heritage (ICH).

It is pertinent to mention that once a country gets an element inscribed on the ICH Representative list of UNESCO, it is obliged to work for the safeguarding and promotion of the same. Parties are also obliged to report on the concrete measures taken for the safeguarding the inscribed ICH elements . Indeed, the actual purpose of the inscription is to take all possible measures for the safeguarding ICH.

In order to proceed on activities to fulfill the national obligation under the CBD, CITES, CMS and UNESCO, efforts are underway to formalize the conservation agenda and promotion of activities in ambit of IAF. In this connection, a three days workshop is planned to attract the attention of all relevant interest groups including scientists and biologist from IAF, CMS, falconry enthusiasts from the range countries, provincial authorities and other interest groups.  The event will help in developing regulatory legislation, policy formulation, policy implementation mechanism, provision of the spaces and facilities for practice, research and dissemination of relevant information.

The Event Aims to Produce the Following Key Objectives:

1. To create awareness about importance, status and conservation of Raptors in Pakistan.
2. Engagement and collaboration with stakeholders for advocacy and lobbying for appropriate legislation of falconry culture and use of falconry techniques for conservation in Pakistan.
3. Devise future conservation and cultural solutions & policy for sustainable use of the birds of prey.
4. Formulation of ‘National Multi Species Action Plan’ under the Raptor MoU guidelines of Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).