Devcom-Pakistan bells alarm on emerging threats to Margalla Hills

Islamabad : Devcom-Pakistan (Development Communications Network) organised a compelling webinar on Saturday titled ‘Emerging Threats to Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP),’ bringing together experts and stakeholders to discuss the urgent need to protect one of Pakistan's most significant natural assets. The speakers underscored the critical importance of implementing the Supreme Court’s directives to eliminate encroachments and rehabilitate the park, while also emphasising the broader implications for biodiversity and climate change resilience.

Rina Saeed Khan, chairperson of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB), provided an overview of the current state of Margalla Hills National Park. She highlighted the IWMB’s continuous efforts to safeguard the park’s ecosystem despite significant challenges. According to Khan, encroachments, illegal construction, and lack of enforcement mechanisms remain persistent issues. She emphasised the need for unwavering government support to ensure the park’s long-term protection and ecological rehabilitation. We have been doing significant interventions over the years in confrontation with the vested interests in the Park that have support from some influential individuals in the government ranks. Now, without due process, the ministry of climate change is going to de-notify the present board.

Chairperson Rina Saeed Khan termed it as `unfortunate` development while they were trying to implement the Supreme Court orders. “Our only crime is implementing the Supreme Court`s orders regarding demolition of a hotel. The Act was intended to strengthen the board, not weaken it. Certain lobbies are determined to see us fail. The bureaucrats in the Ministry of Climate Change are trying to use a most twisted interpretation of the Wildlife Act. The Act was passed by the parliament for the very opposite purpose: to strengthen the institution of the board, not to weaken it.

Vaqar Zakaria, a board member of the IWMB, expressed deep concern over the government’s apparent lack of prioritization for biodiversity and natural habitats. “While authorities often tout their efforts to combat the impacts of climate change, their actions tell a different story. Biodiversity and natural ecosystems, which are critical for mitigating climate change, are being sacrificed for short-term gains,” he remarked. Zakaria urged the government to respect the Supreme Court’s orders and accelerate the removal of illegal structures and activities within the park.

Speakers at the webinar discussed the growing threats posed by urban encroachments, unregulated tourism, and property development. These activities have not only disrupted the ecological balance of the Margalla Hills but have also endangered the flora and fauna that are integral to the park’s biodiversity.