Women-led conservation bodies formed for Chitral Gol National Park

In a pioneering move for local conservation efforts, the Chitral Gol Community for Conservation & Development Association (CGCCDA) has established women village conservation committees (WVCCs) in 10 villages surrounding Chitral Gol National Park. This milestone initiative was officially launched during an inception workshop, aimed at reactivating and strengthening the WVCCs.

Prominent conservationists, development partners, and government officials praised the initiative as a groundbreaking model that should be replicated in other protected regions. The workshop brought together key stakeholders to discuss project timelines, roles, and implementation strategies. CGCCDA board member Altaf Ali Shah highlighted the importance of empowering local women for sustainable conservation, asserting that no sustainable conservation is possible without their active participation.

Technical facilitator Hamid Ahmad Mir presented an implementation framework, detailing project objectives, monitoring mechanisms, and stakeholder responsibilities. The forum concluded with a consensus on setting a robust baseline and mobilizing additional resources to ensure the project remains community-focused and adaptable. CGCCDA chairman Saleemuddin and general secretary Hussain Ahmad confirmed the organization's commitment to supporting the WVCCs, emphasizing that women must be central to community life and biodiversity preservation.

With the project's work plan endorsed by the wildlife department, Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP), and community leaders, the initiative aims to provide a renewed, sustainable institutional framework for women in the Chitral Gol buffer zone.