ISLAMABAD (February 2, 2026) -: Federal Minister for Climate Change Dr Musadik Malik stressed that wetlands were not merely lakes or recreational sites but vital natural resources directly linked to the livelihoods and survival of millions of people.

Speaking at a clean-up campaign organised by the Ministry of Climate Change in collaboration with the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board on the occasion of World Wetlands Day, the minister said wetlands provided food, income and ecological security to communities that depend on them.

Dr Malik said natural resources belonged to the vast majority of the population and not to a privileged few. “This country does not belong to the elite alone but to those whose daily lives depend on forests, wetlands and other natural resources,” he said.

Warning against environmental degradation, the minister said the destruction of wetlands would lead directly to the loss of livelihoods and economic insecurity for ordinary citizens.

He added that deforestation and damage to wetlands were not just environmental concerns but also serious economic issues, as forests and wetlands formed the backbone of public livelihoods while providing protection against climate impacts.

Dr Malik said forests and wetlands were among the world’s largest natural carbon sinks, playing a critical role in absorbing carbon from the atmosphere.

He noted that global warming and rising carbon emissions were accelerating glacier melt, triggering floods and other climate-related disasters in Pakistan.

Many School children were also there at the event held play-cards with messages including save water, save wetlands, save nature and other environmental slogans.

The minister appreciated their participation and encouraged them to remain engaged in conservation initiatives. He praised citizen volunteers as the true custodians of forests and national parks saying real leadership lies in daily conservation work rather than ceremonial appearances.

-----
For official communication or media-related inquiries, please contact: Muhammad Saleem Shaikh, Deputy Director (Media and Communication) Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Government of Pakistan at email:  dd.media@mocc.gov.pk.