Margalla runner event from 26th

Islamabad: The Directorate of Sports Culture and Tourism was organising the first-time in history of the federal capital the biggest Margalla runner event from November 26 to 28. Where ‘there is no finish as there is only one finisher the last one standing’ and the registration was free of cost and last date was November 25, Ch Azhar Latif, Coordinator SC&T, Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) told APP in a press release issued here.

He said the race route would begin from the Margalla Zoo to Daman-e-Koh car parking while hiking will be held on November 27 and camping on 28. He said, the hiking would begin at 10:30 a.m. from Margalla road Trail 3 to bottom point of Trail 3. The camping and sufi night would take place on November 28 after which the prizes (Margalla race) and certificates would be distributed to the players.

Special gift hampers would also be awarded to the position holders.

Scientific Study initiated: The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) has started ‘Scientific Study’ in the recently established 10-km Leopard Preservation Zone to find ways and means to enhance leopard population in the Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP).

According to the details provided by IWMB, the Scientific Study is just a beginning of a process that would mainly focus on ‘negative factors’ and their ‘nature based solutions’ to develop cordial environment for the leopards in the national park. The record of the 20 camera traps installed in the national park showed that a total of seven leopards have so far been detected and it is expected that their population would grow in the coming months.

The migration of leopards from Himalayas to Margallas has started that is a clear indication that this area is again attracting this rare wildlife species due to its favourable natural habitats.

Though the protection of forest areas and natural habitats of wildlife animals is still a grave challenge due to illegal activities of timber mafia and developers but the relevant authorities have done some good work in the recent past to improve the situation. —APP

The national park has become part of the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami project on the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan after which the relevant authorities have joined hands to introduce new laws to protect this area in the face of grave challenges.

The IWMB chairperson has said that the scientific study is just a beginning and they would take some more steps to get to know the real facts, adding “Once the required information is gathered we will make plans to restore natural habitats of leopards and other wildlife animals.