WWF launches 'green card' to fund environment protection.

LAHORE -- The pursuit of better economic prospects and living standards in the past decades has resulted in thousands of Pakistanis choosing to emigrate out of Pakistan while those left in the country aspire to do the same and acquire legal citizenship of other countries. This newly issued identity card is usually referred to as a 'green card' in Pakistan. The green card holds great value and is something many Pakistanis aspire for.

WWF-Pakistan recently launched a nationwide initiative to fund environment protection in Pakistan, a membership the organization is calling the WWF Green Card. Available to purchase online, the card is a symbol for responsible Pakistanis to take part in a nationwide drive to help protect Pakistan's environment. The Green Card comes in three different categories: Air, Water and Wildlife where the Air category focuses on reducing air pollution and planting trees, the Water category helps protect marine and freshwater ecosystems in Pakistan while the Wildlife category aims to protect animals.

Wildlife in Pakistan is facing a crisis as populations of various species are declining due to multiple threats including illegal wildlife trade, loss in habitat due to urbanization, increasing pollution and climate change. The initiative seeks the support of concerned citizens to enhance conservation work in Pakistan such as contributing to the salary of a community member to monitor beaches for poaching of turtle eggs during nesting season, establishing a home-based/kitchen gardening project to support alternate livelihood generation for local communities and reduce pressure on fisheries, and contribute to fuel-e?cient stoves for rural women.

The campaign is supported by WWF's Goodwill Ambassadors; Ali Rehman and Adnan Malik along with other...