‘MHNP facing onslaught of illegal construction’

13th Pakistan Mountain Festival’s participants clean Trail-5

ISLAMABAD:

The Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP) is witnessing a rise in illegal constructions and environmentally-hazardous practices. Solid waste management and littering have increased manifold despite many interventions.

These remarks were made by Devcom-Pakistan Executive Director Munir Ahmed on the occasion of the 13th Pakistan Mountain Festival.

Meanwhile, more than a hundred university students and nature lovers participated in a hiking and cleanup drive at Margalla Hills Trail-5 after an interactive session on the wildlife and biological diversity of the Margalla Hills on Saturday.

The daylong event was organised by the Development Communications Network (Devcom-Pakistan), and Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) in collaboration with the Comsats University Islamabad Campus Computer Science Adventure Society (CSAS).

Pakistan Mountain Festival (PMF) is an annual flagship event of Devcom-Pakistan to commemorate the UN’s International Mountain Day (IMD) which falls on December 11.

Read IWMB announces fees for Margalla events

The Devcom-Pakistan’s executive director said environmentally unfriendly practices have damaged the natural resources in all three parts of the national park including hills, Rawal Lake and Sharkarparian despite many initiatives. Mountain Resources are the lifeline of over 80 per cent of the people living downstream who are responsible for heavy carbon emissions, and the devastation of the mountain ecosystems, he said.

“We shall encourage youth to environmentally friendly outdoor pursuits.” It is good for their mental and physical health besides making them responsible visitors to nature.

He further said several youth engagements are in the pipeline for the 13th Pakistan Mountain Festival including the 9th Pakistan Mountain Youth Forum, cultural shows, and a conference.

The IWMB Deputy Director Sakhawat Ali briefed the participants about the rich biodiversity of the MNHP stating that it is third-largest national park in the world.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 3^rd, 2023.