GILGIT: Two female brown bears were released into the Khunjerab National Park here on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was scheduled to visit the region for the purpose but the bad weather led to the visit’s cancelation.

The bears bred in Chakwal area of Punjab were released into the park during a ceremony, where federal climate change ministry’s director (biodiversity) Naeem Ashraf Raja, Khunjerab National Park range officer Shabbir Baig, Gilgit wildlife department range officer Mubashir Ali and local community’s members were in attendance.

Originally, the bears were to be released in Rama Astore area but the plans were changed after the Prime Minister’s Secretariat asked the relevant authorities to carry out the activity in areas along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor route.

The Khunjerab National Park is one of the highest altitude parks in the world and is located adjacent to the Taxkorgan Natural Reserve of China.

Climate change ministry’s Naeem Ashraf told Dawn that the bears were released in the GB national park to save the specie, which was in danger of extinction.

He said the bears were bred at the Bear Rehabilitation Sanctuary and Bio-Resource Research Centre in Balkasar area of Chakwal.

“As all brown bears living in Khunjerab area are male, the shifting of two female bears will help increase the animal’s population,” he said.

The official said the Deosai National Park had the most brown bears in Gilgit-Baltistan.

He said the Khunjerab National Park had a proper system to monitor the activities of brown bears.

Published in Dawn, June 9th, 2017