A conservation organization in Pakistan, WWF-Pakistan, has expressed worries about development activities near the Margalla Hills National Park in Islamabad. The organization highlighted risks such as habitat fragmentation and disruption of wildlife movement due to these activities. WWF-Pakistan emphasized the importance of the park’s ecological landscape, supporting diverse flora and fauna crucial for the capital city’s environment.
Recent development activities near the park, including road expansion and land clearing, have led to measurable ecological degradation, according to WWF-Pakistan’s field-based evidence. Concerns have escalated due to proposed interventions like hotels and sports facilities in the area. The organization called for transparent environmental reviews and strict environmental safeguards for all development projects near the Margalla Hills.
WWF-Pakistan, along with other stakeholders, raised concerns about the lack of publicly disclosed Environmental Impact Assessments and stakeholder consultations for these projects. Stressing the ecological sensitivity of the Margalla Hills, the organization urged authorities to halt ongoing and proposed development activities in sensitive foothill areas. The call was made for a transparent environmental review process before any further development proceeds.
