Islamabad:IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and Karot Power Company (Pvt) Ltd. formalized a joint collaboration in Islamabad , under which IUCN will implement the Biodiversity Management Plan of the company’s 720 MW hydro power project in the Jhelum River area.

This is the first partnership initiative between the two organizations. Under the agreement, IUCN will be implementing the biodiversity management plan and IUCN as an implementation organization will maintain contact with local communities and stakeholders and promote awareness on biodiversity protection/conservation amongst them. This will include development of community awareness programmes along with watch and ward services pertaining to national parks.

The signing ceremony was attended by key officials/representatives from both companies.

Speaking on the occasion, Mahmood Akhtar Cheema, Country Representative, IUCN Pakistan, termed this agreement a significant milestone that will pave the way for biodiversity conservation on a larger scale in future. He also applauded Karot’s efforts and commitment to the conservation of nature and biodiversity reflected through this initiative, aimed at conservation of both flora and fauna and the national parks.

Cheema highlighted the current efforts underway at IUCN towards nature conservation through some of its ongoing projects as well. “This is an excellent example of our Business and Biodiversity Programme, which aims at taking the private sector along and implementing environmental friendly practices,” he added.

The Karot hydropower project is a 720MW run-of-river project being built on the Jhelum River, in Pakistan. The Karot Hydro Power Project is the fourth of five cascade hydropower stations planned on the Jhelum River. It will generate 3,174GWh (net) of energy a year. It is one of the early harvest/prioritized project of the CPEC.

The main objective of the BMP is to demonstrate ‘No Net Loss’ of biodiversity in natural habitats where feasible.  The Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) will be implemented with relevant departments of Government of Punjab and AJ&K. KPCL will provide support and financing for implementing the BMP.

Chief Executive Officer of Karot Power Company Private Limited, expressed his views and was delighted to take on board IUCN Pakistan for the implementation. He narrated that implementation of Biodiversity Management Plan is very important for us. It is amongst the prioritized initiatives of the project.  We are highly committed towards our responsibilities and are delivering green development through our investment. We believe, the involvement of IUCN Pakistan in this endeavor will highly benefit the biodiversity of this area and will be an ideal example of biodiversity management (protection & conservation) for the upcoming projects and investments in Pakistan.”

Speaking on the occasion, representative from Karot Power Company Pvt Ltd, M. Mansoor Khan, Senior Manager Environment, narrated that it is indeed a memorable moment towards biodiversity conservation and protection in this reach of Jhelum River basin. BMP of Karot HPP is one of its kind and unique in various ways for its broad scope and related aspects. KPCL has always been in a lead towards compliance of environmental standards and biodiversity protection.