High Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri appreciates Margalla Hills National Park

Canberra: Pakistani High Commissioner to Australia Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri this week appreciated the Margalla Hills National Park, Islamabad.

“Margalla Hills National Park, Islamabad, Pakistan is the 4th largest urban park in the world. It has an area of 42,961.7 acres,” he post on X with a picture.

Meanwhile the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) amid paucity of funds has decided to generate revenue by charging fees from individuals and institutions for holding activities in the Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP) protected area.

IWMB Chairperson Rina Saeed Khan made the announcement at the launching ceremony of the new and updated website of the board this week.

Ms Khan said many educational institutions, civil society and non-governmental organisations and private and corporate entities used to hold hiking, trekking tours and awareness activities in the national park.

However, previously all such activities were for free but now the organisers have to fill a one-page form prior to seeking permission, whereas the board would allow one-day permission, she added.

The chairperson said the board was cognizant of the fact that this move would be resisted by public circles but the IWMB could not allow free visits further.

She said the new website was built by a volunteer, Abu Bakar, who had charged a very nominal amount for the task.

Prior to the web launch, the chairperson showcased two short documentaries. One made by Dawood Foundation, “Margalla Urban Wilderness: Margalla Hills National Park” is eight years old and sheds light on the national park’s creation, biodiversity, risks and challenges faced by it and its potential in replenishing nature.