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CDA is working for the conservation of Margalla Hills National Park – habitat of birds, mammals and species
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Capital Development Authority (CDA) has commenced conservation work on the Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP) in order to restore its stunning beauty back.
The Margalla Hills National Park is spread over 12,605 hectares (31,148 acres) and is the home to around 300 animals and birds and 600 species of plants.
Margalla Hills National Park is also a carrier of limestone as well as trees of sub-tropical broad-leaved evergreen forest including Phuli, Kau, Grunda Snath, Chir-pine and Shah Bloot.
The Environment Wing of Capital Development Authority is working for the conservation of Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP), habitat of birds, mammals and species and upgradation of the walking and hiking tracks.
An official of CDA Environment Wing said that capital’s civic agency had already launched a comprehensive drive for cleanliness of the MHNP in collaboration with civil society, students and environmentalists.
He added that thousands of the people from different walks’ of life visit the national park daily to enjoy the natural environment and healthy recreational facilities.
CDA official that told also they collaborated with the civil society, environmentalists, and students for the maintenance of the National park and soon, the park will be restored back to life.
The park also has a historical and cultural background, from the caves near Dhok Juri in the vicinity of Shah Allah Ditta, 450-year-old Faqir Wali Ban of Mughal era to Maha Mura Doo near Julian and a 500-year-old cobbled highway.
Therefore, the Margalla Hills National Park is divided into 4 zones:
- Recreational
- Wilderness
- Intensive use
- Cultural sites
Assistant Inspector General (Forests) Aurangzeb Awan said that the declaration of any place as a national park is meant to conserve and protect the area but unfortunately the MHNP has become the hub of recreational activities besides becoming prone to encroachments by individuals and private housing societies.
Apart from that, Climate Change Ministry Biodiversity Director Naeem Ashraf Raja told that illegal constructions and encroachments by individuals were also seen in the territory of Margalla Hills National Park.
Yesterday, Supreme Court of Pakistan reprimanded the federal government for failing to remove encroachments within the Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP) despite a ban imposed by the apex court in 2016.
Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh expressed anger over non-removal of encroachments from the area and said, “It seems that the federal government will call the army to remove encroachments as well”.
The SC judge also came down hard on State Minister for Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, the judge said, “the minister should spend more time governing than indulging in full-time politics,” said the judge.