‘Zoo administration reluctant to give control’

Climate change minister says they were directed to take over zoo by IHC

ISLAMABAD: A junior minister on Tuesday claimed that the management of the zoo in the federal capital was reluctant to hand over charge of the facility to the Climate Change ministry despite orders from the Islamabad High Court.

This was stated by Minister of State for Climate Change, Zartaj Gul Wazir, during a news conference on Tuesday.

"If anything happens to the birds and animals kept in the zoo, the management [of the zoo] will be held responsible as their attitude is jeopardizing the life of wildlife there," she added, noting that the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had taken note of the poor state of animals in the Marghzar Zoo of the federal capital.

"The government is spending Rs110 million annually on the Marghzar Zoo while its income is only Rs0.45 million. Similarly, Rs130 million is being spent annually on the Lahore Zoo, whereas it raises revenues of only Rs33.3 million," she stated.

The minister went on to state that they 'do not want to turn this into a conflict between institutions', rather the zoo administration should let the ministry take charge.

She added that her ministry also plans to get control of the Margalla Hills National Park.

Ban on plastic bags

The climate change minister reiterated that plastic bags will be banned in the federal capital come Independence Day, August 14. She added that they have taken the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration on board in this regard.

The minister further said the last census showed that over two million people were living in Islamabad, and that if they all used around three to four bags each, it would amount to a whopping eight million plastic bags in the city.

She added that before they implement their ban in earnest, shopkeepers in all businesses of the federal capital have been sensitized about the ban.

"If anyone violates the ban, then they will be slapped with a fine of Rs100,000 initially and Rs200,000  for the second violation. For their third transgression, a fine of R500,000 will be imposed,” Wazir said, adding that the district administration will assist in the implementation of the fines.

The minister urged the media, activists, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders to play their role in discouraging the use of plastic shopping bags. 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 24^th, 2019.