IWMB holds plantation campaign at Margalla

Islamabad:The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) held a plantation drive at the site of the demolished Monal Restaurant (now Margalla View Point).

The event honoured environmental journalists for consistently raising their voices against the environmental violations linked to the restaurant and other businesses within the Margalla Hills National Park, according to IWMB. It said the initiative marked an important step in the restoration of the national park, aligning with the Supreme Court's directive to preserve the area and safeguard its delicate ecosystem.

The IWMB plantation drive involved planting various native tree species such as ‘amaltas’, ‘chir pine’, ‘sanatha’, and others, to help rejuvenate the ecosystem and restore biodiversity. Each tree was accompanied by a plaque inscribed with the name of a journalist, recognising their efforts in highlighting the environmental risks posed by the commercial activities in the area.

IWMB chairperson Rina Saeed Khan stressed the importance of protecting the Margalla Hills National Park as one of the country’s most treasured natural resources. “Today's plantation drive is not just about planting trees; it’s about ensuring that the voices of the journalists, who have tirelessly worked to preserve this natural space, are honored,” she said. The IWMB chairperson said the board's efforts had been crucial in drawing attention to the violations that threatened the integrity of the Margalla Hills National Park.