IWMB imposes fees on awareness activities at Trails 5 and 6

Islamabad: Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) has imposed fees on the awareness and environmental engagements in groups at the Trail-5 and 6 of the Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP).

The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) has implemented a fee for every activity on Trail 5. In order to obtain the necessary No Objection Certificate (NOC) for any upcoming activity, a fee of Rs1,000 per participant is imposed.

Visitor Information Center (VIC) space for a closing ceremony at [the] Trail 5, the fee is Rs25,000”. This is in addition to the awareness and education session about the Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP) biodiversity talk, showing the documentaries and a guided hike. The fee includes, “awareness & education session about biodiversity and ecosystem of MHNP, a showcase of documentaries and a guided hike”.

Devcom-Pakistan Executive Director Munir Ahmed while talking to ‘The News’ said that it would hamper the activities that are managed by the nonprofit and voluntary organisations to engage youth in environmental awareness and conservation. He urged the prime minister and the relevant minister to take notice of this.