Public to have free access to Pir Sohawa hilltop

Islamabad:In a significant move for environmental conservation, the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board has planned to restore the Pir Sohawa hilltop in Margalla Hills National Park to its natural condition before allowing visitors free access to it.

Until recently, the hilltop, known for its panoramic city views, was home to several large restaurants, but they closed down after the Supreme Court declared them illegal. On Aug 21, a bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, directed the IWMB to take possession of Monal, La Montana and Gloria Jeans on Margalla Hills with the help of the Capital Development Authority and police, declaring that these restaurants and those who allowed them to operate disregarded the integrity of the national park, ravaged its flora, and displaced and disturbed the endemic bird and animal life.

It added that an astronomical environmental cost of those illegal activities had been borne by the people and would be borne by future generations as well. The restaurants appealed the decision, but the pleas were rejected by the court. Now, as these restaurant buildings stand abandoned, they will be dismantled and the area will be re-wilded and reintegrated into the surrounding natural landscape in line with the court's orders, according to IWMB officials.

They told 'The News' that a committee comprising officials of the district administration, police, Capital Development Authority and climate change ministry, restoration experts and relevant citizens would oversee the demolition and debris removal exercise by the CDA workers with the help of machinery. The officials said the hilltop would later be transformed into an open air space, promoting both public engagement and wildlife conservation.

They said the approved Pir Sohawa restoration plan had already been approved by the committee, which had also given a go-ahead for the hiring of an architect for the purpose. Under the plan, comfortable benches will be installed there for visitors to relax and enjoy the scenic views; local flora will be planted to support biodiversity and create a natural habitat for wildlife; educational displays featuring indigenous wildlife species will be put up to raise awareness of local biodiversity, and a water harvesting system will be installed along with a reservoir to promote sustainable water use and management.

The retaining walls of the terraces will remain but concrete inside will be removed for plantation. Also, there will be a small emergency response facility with an area for quick response and first aid services, specifically for firefighting emergencies.

The IWMB will implement a "lighting management policy" by switching off solar lights at sunset to minimise disturbance to wildlife, according to officials. They said the entire exercise was meant to create the Margalla Viewpoint that enhanced public enjoyment while promoting awareness of indigenous flora and fauna. The officials thanked CJP Qazi Faez Isa for upholding the judgement by Justice Athar Minallah and said they're committed to complying with the chief justice's note in his order, “We must fulfil our designated role as stewards of the earth, embrace, protect and conserve the natural world; in it lies our survival, and our salvation.”