Govt plans recreational area at Chinji National Park

Officials say it will have Jeep race track, helipad, besides camping sites, rides

RAWALPINDI:

The Punjab Forest Division has started working on a recreational zone in the Chinji National Park.

The new park would be established in the already protected Chinji area in Talagang Tehsil in Chakwal district.

Chinji National Park, established in 1987, is a protected area of IUCN category II located on Sargodha road in Talagang Tehsil, Chakwal District, Punjab, Pakistan. It covers a total area of 15,061 acres. It is located close to Salt Range, about 130km from Islamabad in the south

The forests in the areas are said to be over 2,000 years old. The 20,000 acres area would be converted into a modern park equipped with all the latest facilities. Punjab Forest Additional Secretary Shahid Rasheed Awan visited the site on Monday and directed to expedite work.

Under the project, the government would build a 25-kilometre long track for Jeep Racing and boating facility. A modern museum and parks based on European models would also be part of the project.

When contacted, Forest Administration Officer Muhammad Nauman, told The Express Tribune contacted that the chosen area was once inhabited centuries ago. Nauman added that the entire land was filled with ancient relics and there were many historical aspects related to the region’s Hindu-Buddhist history.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 25^th, 2020.