 |
| |
WEEKLY
SECTIONS |
 |
|
 |
| Feeding wild monkeys at Margallas a dangerous act! |
|
|
|
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Saadia Khalid
Islamabad
The visitors of Margalla Hills pose a serious threat to their lives while parking their vehicles on roadsides to feed the wild monkeys despite the ban imposed by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) over this act.
There had been many road accidents occurred during the last few years when the visitors with an intention to feed monkeys suddenly appear on middle of the road and pose themselves to the risk of accidents. Besides the road accidents there were also cases when the wild monkeys in their anger had injured the visitors, especially the children.
Keeping in view the dangers of road accidents and injuries, CDA had banned the stopping on road and feeding monkeys rather created a spot for the visitors to enjoy the first hand experience of wildlife in an entirely natural environment. The spot had been created in an ideal place where the visitors could enjoy their moments leisurely while feeding the monkeys and sitting in the tranquil environment. But the visitors despite aware of the severe consequences and the ban, continue to follow this practice which could lead to severe consequences in case of road accident and rage of some wild monkeys.
When asked about the reasons for parking the vehicles on roadside and feeding monkeys despite having a proper spot for the purpose, the visitor told ‘The News’ that they were not aware of the ban.
“You just told me that it is prohibited to feed the monkeys on roadside otherwise I was not aware of this very fact,” said Ali Murtaza, a visitor.
He said that the authority should have installed the boards informing the ban otherwise there was no other way to inform the visitors especially who were visiting the facility for the first time.
Another visitor Anila Rehman said that there was no point to impose ban, as one could not thoroughly enjoy the true natural ambience under such restrictions. “The visitors are sensible enough to maintain the safe distance with wild animals besides parking their vehicles sensibly,” she said.
On the other hand the motorists feel extreme difficulty while driving through the road leading to the top spot. “We have to be extremely careful due to the random mobility of the visitors and the animals,” said a motorist Salman Agha.
He said that there was no point to violate the law when the authorities have created an awesome facility for the visitors who were interested to have the first hand experience of wildlife.
Another motorist Faiza Ghani said that the authorities should impose ban on those vehicles who park their vehicles on roadside and feed monkeys on roads. “There should be collaboration between CDA and Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) where the motorists and visitors involved in the practice should be fined on the spot in order to discourage it,” she said.
Meanwhile, the CDA officials said that they had erected the warning boards after the distance of almost every kilometre in order to inform the danger of feeding the monkeys in the middle of the road. “What else could we do in order to facilitate the visitors as we have already created an ideal spot for them,” said the official. He said that visitors should understand their responsibility by obeying the laws, which are actually meant to ensure their safety.
|
|
|
| Back
| Send
this story to Friend | Print
Version |
|
|
|
ISSN 1563-9479 
