IWMB plans Rs1.8b revamp

Experts say undue human interventions have spoilt MHNP wildlife

ISLAMABAD:

The wildlife management board of the federal capital, now operating under new management, is planning a Rs1.8 billion revamp.

This was disclosed on Saturday during a ‘Snapshot Wildlife Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP)’ event which had been organised by the Development Communications Network (Devcom-Pakistan) and DTN as part of 10th Pakistan Mountain Festival in collaboration with Mivida Pakistan and Pakistan Wildlife Foundation (PWF).

During the event, Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) Chairperson Rina Saeed Khan said that they have presented a project concept-I (PC-I), worth Rs1.8 billion, had been submitted to the federal climate change ministry for approval.

The funding, she said, will help strengthen the IWMB. Dilating on new initiatives, she said that they planned to convert the zoo into a wildlife conservation centre, developing and maintaining the trails in the MHNP, wildlife rescue service, and a centre for the national park services.

She said that since its establishment, on the directives from the Islamabad High Court (IHC), the IWMB has lacked funds and staff. Hopefully, she said, it will become a strong institution soon.

Devcom-Pakistan Executive Director Munir Ahmed said that undue human interventions in the national park are the result of the government’s failure to ensure the implementation of its legal framework.

Mafias are ruling the national park without any hesitation and hindrance. There is no check or control over the change of land-use, he contended.

Even the Capital Development Authority (CDA0 has given blank chit to the many businesses to unduly expand and come up with the construction of hotels, restaurants and houses, Munir said, adding that powerful street lights, massive traffic load and the lack of sewage and solid waste management system are the main challenges of the parks.

Former IWMB chairman Dr Ejaz Ahmed said that we mainly focus on the MHNP at the expense of the Rawal Lake and Shakarparian forests which need to be looked after as well.

These areas are heavily encroached by the government and private constructions, he said, adding that cultural centres built in these areas attract a large number of visitors and the stress impacts local biodiversity and wildlife habitats.

Former National Council of Conservation for Wildlife (NCCW) director Umeed Khalid suggested a close collaboration between Islamabad and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government on the conservation efforts for wildlife and biodiversity being interlinked mountain habitats. We need to provide wildlife with a well-conserved corridor for their movement.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 27^th, 2020.