The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) is set to restore the ridge on Pir Sohawa Road in Margalla Hills National Park, aiming to return it to its former state as a freely accessible public space.
The move follows a Supreme Court order mandating the dismantling of large restaurant structures that had previously occupied the site. Monal, one of Islamabad’s popular restaurants, announced its closure next month in compliance with the Supreme Court’s directives for the closure of all restaurants, in Islamabad’s Margalla Hills National Park within three months.
Islamabad’s iconic ridge to be restored for public access
Starting September 12, 2024, the IWMB will begin removing these buildings, with the help of machinery and labor provided by the Capital Development Authority (CDA). The site will be rewilded and seamlessly integrated back into the surrounding natural landscape.
An implementation committee, composed of government officials, restoration experts, and concerned citizens, has been formed to oversee the project. This committee has approved a restoration model that includes hiring an architect to transform the hilltop into an open-air space. The redesigned area will feature a Margalla Viewpoint, designed to enhance public enjoyment while promoting wildlife conservation.
Key features of the Ridge Restoration Plan
Some of the highlights of the Margalla Hills ridge restoration plan include:
- Installation of comfortable benches for visitors to relax and enjoy the views.
- Planting of local flora to support biodiversity and create a natural habitat for wildlife.
- Educational displays highlighting indigenous wildlife species to raise awareness.
Additionally, a water harvesting system and reservoir will be installed to encourage sustainable water use. Concrete will be removed from terraces to facilitate plantation, and a small Emergency Response Facility will be built to provide quick aid in emergencies, particularly for firefighting.
To minimize disturbance to wildlife, a lighting management policy will be implemented, ensuring solar lights are switched off at sunset. This initiative is part of IWMB’s broader effort to protect and conserve the natural habitat of Margalla Hills.
The IWMB extended its gratitude to Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa for his support, affirming the Supreme Court’s commitment to environmental stewardship and upholding the earlier Islamabad High Court judgment by Justice Athar Minallah. As noted in the Chief Justice’s August 21, 2024, ruling, “We must fulfill our designated role as stewards of the earth (khalifa fil ardh), embrace, protect and conserve the natural world; in it lies our survival, and our salvation”.
On September 11, 2024, the Supreme Court upheld the Islamabad High Court’s decision declaring the allotment of 8,068 acres of National Park land to various entities as unlawful, marking a significant ruling on land use in protected areas. Led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, the court dismissed review petitions, including those from Monal restaurant and others, and clarified that any pending appeals are now moot. The judgment highlighted the illegality of commercial activities within Margalla National Park and ordered the businesses involved to vacate, citing environmental damage and disregard for wildlife protection laws.