The federal capital could be inaugurating its first mini-safari park as soon as March this year.
The park will be established near Miraj Dam-II in Kuri Union Council (UC) on the outskirts of the city. Around 17 acres have been designated for the park, which will initially be populated with a herd of 100 deer from Punjab, that will be donated by Pakistan Rangers.
Other animals will be acquired and added once the park area has been fenced and other preparations made.
The urban areas of the city have numerous large parks like Fatima Jinnah Park, Lake View Park, Ankara Park and Chattar Park, however, there is no safari park in the city. In Rawalpindi, the dilapidated Lohi Bher Wildlife Park has been functioning on a 687 acre spread since 1992.
The rural areas, which have a population of over 800,000 in 12 union councils, have no entertainment options and must come to the urban areas for any facilities.
A resident of the rural areas expressed happiness with this development and termed it a great move. “It is really good news for us; now people can enjoy time in a park near their homes,” said Muhammad Tariq, a former union counsellor.
Muhammad Naveed Hussain, another resident of this city appreciated the step, saying that rural areas have been neglected by the authorities for so long, but this would be a much appreciated project.
“Lohi Bher Park and Ayub Park are far away, but now entertainment is at our doorstep,” he added.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Amir Ali Ahmed said the basic objective of the project is to provide a place of entertainment to rural Islamabadis and to protect the area from land grabbers.”
Giving details of the project, he said that work on the PC-1 was underway and after the completion of feasibility report, it will be forwarded for approval.
He said that Rangers have gifted a number of deer and that others animals would be introduced later.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 3rd, 2012.
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