The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) on Wednesday welcomed Member of the National Assembly (MNA) IsphanyarBhandara, senior journalist NasimZehra and activist NiloferQazi along with dozens of school children at the site of the demolished restaurants and briefed them about the IWMB’s initiative to grow forests on the place where once concrete walls used to disfigure the nature and greenery.
They participated in the rewilding project of Margallah Ridge, formerly the Monal site and grew plants there.
The guests participated in a tree-planting ceremony planting local Chir, Pine saplings and joined the campaign to rehabilitate the ridge and reintegrate it into Margallah Hills National Park, as per the Supreme Court orders.
The IWMB has launched a weekly campaign, inviting school children and prominent citizens of Islamabad to plant local trees at the site.
The campaign aims to restore the ridge to its former glory as a green Margallah viewpoint offering the public free access.
“We are committed to preserving and protecting our natural heritage,” said RinaSaeed Khan, Chairperson of the IWMB.
“This project is a testament to our commitment to environmental conservation and community engagement and our deep respect for rule of law. We are following and implementing Supreme Court orders,” she said.
The rewilding project is being implemented in different phases. The phase-I, currently underway, focuses on ensuring the site is accessible and safe for the public. Immediate commencement of site repairs, including installation of safety grills, benches, parking facilities, site clearing, and greening, has begun.
The phase-II will commence after securing funds and approval of the the Environmental Impact Assessment, she said. The Margallah Viewpoint is expected to open to the public by Eid holidays later this year, she further said.
