Controversy arises over transfer of Makhniyal forest to TMA

PESHAWAR: A controversy has erupted over the transfer of Makhniyal Guzara Forests from GDA to TMA Haripur. GDA board members have opposed the government’s decision. However, government sources say that no decision has been taken yet; discussions are on for better use of the land for local residents. Any decision will be taken after full consultation. The caretaker government will not make any decisions against the interest of the people but the previous government had made decisions in haste, which created problems.

Meanwhile, former senior bureaucrat and board member of Galiyat Development Authority Shakil Durrani has sent a letter to the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and requested him to take notice of the matter of potentially serious environmental concern relating to the Makhniyal (Haripur) forested area, which lies adjacent to the Margalla Hills of Islamabad.

Former bureaucrat Shakil Durrani opposed the transfer of Makniyal forest from GDA to Tehsil Municipal Authority, Haripur, saying that the hurried manner of transfer of forest appears bizarre and does not augur well for the area’s environmental conservation.

He said this sparsely populated belt was earlier handed over by the KP provincial government to the Galiyat Development Authority (GDA) for improved and sustainable area conservation. However, GDA through its letter dated 15th June 2023 decided to return the Makhniyal forest area to the KP government ostensibly because of its financial constraints. Such a transfer in effect means that its management and control would be placed under the Tehsil Municipal Authority, Haripur, whose priorities are far removed from those of GDA. The new management of GDA, during its recent meeting, is of the view that this land should not be transferred to TMA Haripur.

The Tourism Department last year had initially requested the GDA to offer its views on this re-transfer proposal but immediately thereafter decided to hand it to the TMA Haripur on 28.12 23 without waiting for the technical comments of GDA. The hurried manner of transfer appears bizarre and does not augur well for the area’s environmental conservation.

“I would also like to bring on record that both slopes of the Margalla Hills were notable habitats of unique flora and fauna and there still exist some goral sheep and barking deer along with leopards, monkeys, pangolin, pythons and some species of pheasants. A brown bear sanctuary was also planned here some time back,” he said.

Shakil Durrani said handing it back to the TMA Haripur would devastate the forests and wildlife because real estate developers have already cast their eyes on this land. Soon this pristine area would be converted into another grotesque concrete jungle much like what is happening to Kaghan-Naran or large parts of Murree.

The GDA, on the other hand, would master plan these hills, reserve its core breeding sanctuary and encourage tourists to visit and savour nature and its bounties. This would generate considerable revenue for the area’s maintenance and provide employment opportunities to the local people.

He further said in the past, real estate mafias almost colonized the Margalla Hills in Islamabad and were it not for the Supreme Court and Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudry these slopes would have been littered with chalets and roads. “Unfortunately, the hills and waters in Pakistan do not have many friends and supporters and I would request you to kindly lend your shoulder to this noble cause,” he said.