Eighty Illegally Occupied Spots Identified on Margallah Hills

The Ministry of Climate Change is on its way to preparing a comprehensive report whereby the forest land of Margallah Hills National Park (MHNP) has been identified to have been encroached either by the land mafia or by the villagers. The construction activities, as per detailed data collected by the various wings of the ministry of climate change, are ongoing especially at Shah Allah Ditta, Karlot, Bhara Kahu, and Manga areas of Zone-III. The villagers have not only illegally occupied the Jungle land but also removed the precious trees. The matter of illegal constructions and even some of the allotments by the government in the jurisdiction of MHNP were even petitioned in the Islamabad High court.

Speaking on the Issue the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam said, “I have visited many areas of the MHNP along with the Director-General of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) chairperson, and the Director-General Environment of Capital Development Authority (CDA) where forest land has been encroached by various elements and Illegally Occupied Spots In Margallah Hills." “We are finalizing a report on encroachment in the national park that will identify the elements involved in this illegal activity,” he said.

It was also informed that due to lack of planning and proper management over the last few decades, the forest land area is rapidly declining whereas settlements and agriculture activities increasing. A few days back an Awareness Campaign for Margalla Hills Wildlife Launched by IWMB also came in news and now, Islamabad High Court While hearing different Petitions regarding the encroachments and illegal constructions on Margallah Hills had directed the government, the Capital Development Authority (CDA), Wildlife Department, and Environment Protection Agency to take immediate steps to safeguard the natural beauty of Margallah Hills National Park (MHNP) by doing away with all construction activities in the Margallah Hills. The step taken by the government to identify and recover the forest land on the MHNP is in line with the directions of the court.