Hikers hit Margalla Hills trails post lockdown

Officials implement facemask, social distancing SOPs at entry points

ISLAMABAD: Amid all the disarray caused by novel Covid-19, hiking trails of Margala Hills National Park are providing a therapeutic activity to the residents of Islamabad who have been confined to their homes for several weeks due to lockdown.

Soon after the Islamabad administration decided to reopen hiking trails with strict orders to follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), many hikers, men and women, turned towards the healthy activity of running and walking in the mountains to escape the stress and frustration due to being locked down at homes.

The trails had been shut down during the lockdown imposed in the country to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. However, last month, the district administration of the city issued a notification for hiking trails to be reopened for the public.

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According to the order, residents can hike while strictly following the rules of social distancing. A six feet distance has to be maintained between people at all times with face masks on as a mandatory rule.

The Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad’s environment directorate will be responsible for implementing the SOPs and guidelines.

A regular hiker from Rawalpindi, Jawad Ali Shah said that since the tracks were opened, people were coming in a big number but Trail 3 has been the busiest so far. “Trails 3 and 5 are crowded on weekends while wearing masks on entry points is mandatory which is being monitored by the officials,” he added.

Another hiker, Rabia Moin, from Islamabad said she has been hiking since 2017 and she has missed this healthy activity during the lockdown.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 24^th, 2020.