Before large restaurants were built on the ridge on Pir Sohawa Road in the heart of Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP), the breezy hilltop was visited freely by the public.
The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) intends to restore this hilltop to free public access. “The buildings will be dismantled from September 12 (Thursday) and the area around them rewilded and re-integrated into the natural landscape that surrounds them as per the orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan,” an IWMB news release said.
IWMB has notified an implementation committee comprising officials from the District Administration, Islamabad Police, Capital Development Authority, Ministry of Climate Change and restoration experts, and concerned citizens who have set up an enforcement task force. Machinery and labor provided by CDA will dismantle the restaurants including the removal of debris.
Hilltop restoration plan
A restoration model for the hilltop has been approved by members of the committee and an architect will be hired. The hilltop will be transformed into an open-air space that promotes both public engagement and wildlife conservation. The plan is to create a Margalla Viewpoint that enhances public enjoyment while promoting awareness of indigenous flora and fauna. For this, there will be:
- Installation of comfortable benches for visitors to relax and enjoy the scenic views.
- Planting local flora to support biodiversity and create a natural habitat for wildlife.
- Installation of educational displays featuring indigenous wildlife species to raise awareness about local biodiversity.
A water harvesting system will be installed along with a reservoir to promote sustainable water use and management. The retaining walls of the terraces will remain, but the concrete inside will be removed for plantation. There will also be a small Emergency Response Facility with an area for quick response and first aid services, specifically for firefighting emergencies.
There will be implementation of a lighting management policy to switch off solar lights at sunset to minimize disturbance to wildlife.
The IWMB also thanked Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa for his landmark judgment upholding the earlier Islamabad High Court judgment by Justice Athar Minallah.
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A historic moment for wildlife and nature lovers. let’s see if the decision will be respected in the long run.
The plan to develop sustainable water management infrastructure ans system is a long overdue step but still welcome if implemented properly.
There will be no wilding again here.. this area will be taken by army.. Mark my words..
Suitcase mil jatay tau masala hal ho jata na Monal bund hota na La Montana aur na 700 mulazimeen K Saath joray afrad bhookay marnay Ka dur hota! Kameeno KO WO 700 mulazimeen aur unkay saath jury logon Ka khyaal Aaya, Allah Ka azaab naazil ho in per
Rubbish logic
In short Damn-e-Koh 2.0.
Just bull shit
X
That s great
Discourage all such commercial activities from the hills which harm the nature
Like mónal there other commercial activities as well started there . Which is not good for nature. All trees théy had destroyed all natural areas destroyed they were burning mountain trees to build hotels . Our weather is getting hot flooding is every thing is destroyed .we should conserve this mountain trees.landsliding every where our people r not so aware of these matters. .we should educate them.
Excellent and Brave Order of Supreme Court Justices to **Restore Systain And Protect Wildlife Founa and Flora O Margala Hills Forest**
Yeah lets also start taking back Margalla hills from housing societies… Ya wo mushkil hai??
I think this is a short term decision, future population growth and economy was not considered. Simply follow demand and supply rule. Instead of closing these locations impose high standards garbage processing and waste management system. Also auction 5 more plots for this type of restaurant so people can enjoy the benefits of healthy competition and ordinary man can visit these places.
Monal and other restaurants were looting public except affluent class. I have seen some middle class families ordering for eatables and getting nervous breakdown at life taking prices and rates.
Regrettable . Those visiting the area need some refreshments .shall they carry food and litter the park ?
The only matter of concern is retrenchment of lower ranked staff. Do employ them on dismantling projects and then care taking jobs of wild life to save them from getting insolvent. Monal was robbing off middle class who happened to visit there except affluent society or bribe taking buerocrates and tax evader businessmen enjoyed. So, masses were in trouble and this is a good decision to save public and general public from being deprived of naturally beautiful places.
Great historical occasion. Thanks to all who made it possible. Now it is the test of IWMB and implementation committee to restore the site and make it tourist attraction while maintaining habitat.
The life of people who worked at Monal to earn their livelihtwas far more important than wildlife restoration and plantation. This decision has ruined their life.
It would be easier for govt institutions involved in dismantling project to re-employ these workers for other uses of rehabilitation but thousands of middle class would get rid off being looted by monal and other restaurant charging unbelievable rates.
اچھا ہے اگر یہ صرف، صرف اور صرف وائلڈ لائف ڈیپارٹمنٹ کے کنٹرول میں رہے۔ حکومت کی ذمہ داری ہے کہ جن افراد کا روزگار ختم ہوا، ان کو متبادل روزگار میں مدد دے۔ نیز انصاف کا تقاضا یہ ہے کہ اسی طرح کے دوسرے رہائشی اور کاروباری قبضے بھی ختم ہونے چاہیے۔ ورنہ یہ ناانصافی سمجھی جائے گی۔
These are only words. Even if such work is done it won’t be maintained. I live in F 10/2 and CDA has not repaired street lights since September 2022 claiming that Funds are not available. MCI can hardly manage cleanliness of main sectors and now road till old Monal and LaMontana will be filled by Garbage as previously Monal has its own people which used to pick Garbage thrown by commuters out of their moving cars
Days near Stake as heard all government schools is going to be transferred to private which really depicts that government surrender & they don’t have left anything to facilitate nation. Worst dilemma 😫
You are depicting picture of one side, the looting by monal and lamontana is out of your sight. They robbed off thousands of visitors country wide. Only matter of concern is to re-employ
700 staff dismissed from service. Govt should re-employ them for rehabilitation of nature projects for their livelihood. Moreover, for further development, rail link from Margalla station to the hill base area should’ve extended for increasing facilities to Islamabad people in particular and general public as need for reaching deep into Islamabad by rail link. This second station would generate income for Pakistan Railways additionally. It can further be extended to other areas in round shape coming back to main line through Islamabad highway towards Rawat. Railway has closed many lines and worldwide Railways are introducing bullet trains.
So, far federal capital is almost neglected by Railway link and Margalla station link is very minor.
its all good until the whole mountain is handed over to boots. 🫠
What about Dyno Valley? The Monal people already have a bigger Dinosaur (literally) right along the road. And it is just a greater eyesore. Yes the Margalla hills look very similar to the hills in Jurassic world… But… It’s just a terribly bad idea in every way and in bad taste. The Dyno Valley is just a waste of billions they made in Monal by imposing this giant eyesore on everybody. What a country. Sick.
So wild life only affects moral area?? Drive further and you will start seeing many restaurants, government and army guest houses . Drive further you will see new apartment building being built , plots for sale , dino valley and many more