Zubair Qureshi
Experts speaking at an event on Saturday urged the authorities and the government institutions to check undue human interventions and constructions in the Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP) to protect the habitats of wildlife.
The event “Snapshot Wildlife Margalla Hills National Park” was organized by the Development Communications Network (Devcom-Pakistan) and DTN in connection with the 10th Pakistan Mountain Festival on Saturday in collaboration with Mivida Pakistan and Pakistan Wildlife Foundation (PWF).
The participants expressed their concerns at the fact that Rawal Lake and Shakarparian area are flooded with construction and visitors. We need to control incoming vehicles and visitors and strictly restrict change in the land-use within the MHNP boundaries.
They urged the authorities to work according to their mandate and scope of work without any influence, and discrimination to conserve the natural ecosystems and habitats of the Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP). Communities shall be taken onboard and engaged in the wildlife and protection efforts.
Stringent implementation of laws, capacity building of communities to understand the importance of the habitat they are living in, and participation of citizens and other stakeholders are very important in planning and implementation of the plans for the National Park. Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) and other public institutions shall be strengthened with more budget, staff and with necessary amendments in the legislative framework.
The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) chairperson Rina Saeed Khan was the guest of honour on the occasion. The speakers included former Deputy Director General WWF Pakistan and biodiversity expert Dr. EJaz Ahmed, Executive Director Devcom-Pakistan Munir Ahmed, former Director National Council of Conservation for Wildlife (NCCW) Umeed Khalid, Dr Muhammad Rafi, and Vice Chairman PWF Safwan Shahab Ahmed.
