Forest Department Withdraws MoU for Modernizing Ayubia Chairlift

In a major win for conservationists, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Forest Department has officially withdrawn a controversial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concerning the modernization of the Ayubia Chairlift.

This decision follows widespread criticism from environmentalists and legal experts, who argued that the project would violate key environmental laws and endanger the protected status of Ayubia National Park.

Hazrat Mir, Chief Conservator of Forests for the Hazara Division, confirmed the cancellation, citing non-compliance with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Forest Ordinance, 2002, and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife and Biodiversity Act, 2015. Mir described the original MoU, signed by his predecessor Muhammad Yousaf, as “contradictory and directly in violation” of regulations protecting national parks, particularly regarding biodiversity conservation and the safeguarding of fragile ecosystems.

The MoU had granted the Monal Group of Companies significant permissions to modernize and expand the chairlift infrastructure within the park, sparking concerns among environmental advocates. They argued that the project would threaten the park’s natural habitat and violate the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s directives on national park management.

Sardar Muhammad Sabir, Chairman of the Galiyat Tahafuz Movement (GTM), welcomed the withdrawal, saying it addresses the group’s concerns about commercial exploitation in protected areas. He praised the decision as being in line with the Supreme Court’s ruling on Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP), which prohibits unauthorized and harmful interventions, calling it a victory for conservationists working to protect Ayubia’s delicate ecosystem.

Ayubia National Park, renowned for its rich biodiversity and endangered species, plays a vital role in maintaining the region’s ecological balance. Environmentalists had warned that large-scale tourism infrastructure could cause habitat fragmentation, pollution, and irreversible damage to the park’s flora and fauna.

The MoU’s cancellation not only represents a significant triumph for environmental protection but also sets a precedent for future projects in protected areas. It underscores the importance of adhering to legal frameworks that safeguard national parks from commercial interests. Moving forward, any development in Ayubia National Park must strictly comply with environmental laws to minimize ecological damage.

This decision emphasizes the critical need to align local and regional development with national and international conservation standards. As urbanization and tourism pressure Pakistan’s natural reserves, the protection of these vital habitats has become increasingly important.

The cancellation sends a clear message to private companies and government bodies: the integrity of protected areas cannot be compromised for commercial gain.