Dubious Ayubia National Park lease raises eyebrows

In what appears to be a controversial move against natural ecosystems and biodiversity, the Galiyat Development Authority (GDA) has leased out 58.52 kanals of land of Ayubia National Park (ANP) to a private entity for the modernisation of Ayubia Chairlift project. The authority has leased out 110 kanals of land to the Monal Group for commercial use at Ayubia. The leased-out land also includes 58.52 kanals of the park.

The Long Term Rental Lease Agreement signed between the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Forest department and the GDA on June 21, 2021, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, outlines activities permitted for the executing agency within the core zone of the historical park. These activities appear to contradict the fundamental objectives of establishing a National Park, which is meant for the conservation and protection of natural ecosystems and biodiversity. Such contradictions have raised serious concerns about the intentions behind the agreement and its potential negative impact on the park's ecological integrity.

Critics argue that this lease agreement violates both international and national laws, which explicitly prohibit the transfer or leasing of land under the jurisdiction of a National Park for commercial purposes. Pointing to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Biodiversity Act 2015, its sections 35 and 36 explicitly restrict such activities, a fact seemingly overlooked in the lease agreement.

Moreover, the MoU inked between the Chief Conservator of Forest and the Director-General of the GDA has raised eyebrows for its procedural irregularities. The National Park, managed by the Wildlife department under the exclusive control of the Chief Conservator of Wildlife, was required to be consulted and involved in any decisions regarding its land use.

As per the lease agreement, extensive cutting of trees, conversion of landscape, erection of boundaries causing habitat fragmentation of important habitat, and high-rise buildings, along with the construction of roads, have been anticipated. These activities pose irreparable loss to biodiversity and ecosystem services, thereby posing significant environmental hazards.

In a startling revelation, a project, embroiled in a land dispute between the Wildlife department and the GDA, has remained suspended for three years. Despite ample opportunities for resolution, no decisive action was taken by former K-P Chief Minister Mehmood Khan or subsequent forest chiefs. However, the acting Chief Conservator has signed the agreement to hand over the government land to the GDA for a private party, sparking allegations of kickbacks and corruption in the handling of the project. The international obligations and the importance of preserving Ayubia National Park's ecological integrity are paramount and warrant careful consideration in any land management decisions.

The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) National Parks, who is stationed at Manshera, has opposed the MoU and formally reported the issue to the Conservator Wildlife, National Parks, and other relevant authorities. The DFO has highlighted the violations of National Parks rules and regulations, as well as associated discrepancies in the leasing and land use agreements. This dissent from a key official within the Wildlife department underscores the internal discord and opposition to the controversial leasing decision.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 17^th, 2024.