Daily Times

Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB), on Monday, wrote a letter to the Ministry of Climate Change, requesting the immediate closure of the private restaurant over alleged littering and drainage of sewerage in Margalla Hills National Park.

IWMB Chairman Dr Anis Ur Rahman stated, in his letter, that a restaurant “Wild Mild,” located on the Damn-e-Koh Road threw piles of its garbage and caused littering near the entry point of Trail- 4. The restaurant was also involved with the dumping of its raw sewerage in Margalla Hills National Park, which caused an unbearable foul smell.

He stated that despite warnings and notices by our senior officers, the administration of the restaurant had turned unresponsive and continued this activity, which was a violation of section 21.4(v) of Islamabad Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Management) Ordinance 1979 and section 11 of the Pak-Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1997. The dump also provided food to unwanted wildlife like rodents, wild boar, insects and snakes, he added.

IWMC requested the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment Protection Agency (EPA) to take serious action against the owners and demanded the immediate closure of the restaurant.

Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP) covers approximately 17,386 hectares (67.13sq/m). The 1604 m high Tilla Charouni is the tallest peak in the national park, which was declared so on April 27, 1980, under Section 21(1) of the Islamabad Wildlife (protection, conservation and management) Ordinance, 1979. It was also affirmed a wildlife sanctuary. This status strictly prohibits any commercial activity and settlement in the area. Yet, of late, a chain of hotels has mushroomed in this diverse park and is destroying the whole environment.

A senior official at Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI), wishing to remain anonymous, said that that hotelling and all other commercial activities, on and around Margalla Hills, are violation of National Park Law but unfortunately, the competent authority does not take into consideration suggestions or recommendations of the Directorate of Environment before issuing trade licences to any hotel or handcart in the area.