23:56
Unknown
Islamabad
The wildlife in the ‘green city’ is losing its habitat due to growing human activities and intrusion into their habitats in thick vegetative cover of Margalla Hills.
The trekkers who have firsthand knowledge about wildlife in the capital are now of the view that many wildlife species such as tigers have been continuously fleeing the area as human activities are increasing with each passing day in thick forests of the hills.
“The wildlife species never stand with any kind of disturbance or intrusion into their habitats and whenever it happens these often leave their areas for some other destination and in worst cases even face extinction,” said Mansoor Iqbal, a trekker.
He said small villages are appearing in the hills with inflow of people who find it hard to get any residence in the urban areas fast increasing day-by-day.
“If the current trend continues then there is every reason that the remaining wildlife species will also leave the area. There is a need to prepare a comprehensive plan to cope with the situation for sake of wildlife that constitutes major part of the beauty of the hills,” he said.
It is pertinent to mention here that some 0.2 million people have now settled in the hilly areas of Islamabad and they use firewood especially in the winter season as availability of gas cylinders is still a far cry for residents of small villages. The environment ministry has time and again raised this issue with the federal government but it is yet to introduce any effective plan in this respect.
Mushtaq Awan, an environmentalist, said the people living in the villages increase use of firewood in the winter season because they have no option for survival in extreme weather conditions.
“It is not only a matter of grave concern for survival of wildlife species but also for beauty of the ‘green city’ that is generally known for its unique natural character,” he said.
The wildlife in the ‘green city’ is losing its habitat due to growing human activities and intrusion into their habitats in thick vegetative cover of Margalla Hills.
The trekkers who have firsthand knowledge about wildlife in the capital are now of the view that many wildlife species such as tigers have been continuously fleeing the area as human activities are increasing with each passing day in thick forests of the hills.
“The wildlife species never stand with any kind of disturbance or intrusion into their habitats and whenever it happens these often leave their areas for some other destination and in worst cases even face extinction,” said Mansoor Iqbal, a trekker.
He said small villages are appearing in the hills with inflow of people who find it hard to get any residence in the urban areas fast increasing day-by-day.
“If the current trend continues then there is every reason that the remaining wildlife species will also leave the area. There is a need to prepare a comprehensive plan to cope with the situation for sake of wildlife that constitutes major part of the beauty of the hills,” he said.
It is pertinent to mention here that some 0.2 million people have now settled in the hilly areas of Islamabad and they use firewood especially in the winter season as availability of gas cylinders is still a far cry for residents of small villages. The environment ministry has time and again raised this issue with the federal government but it is yet to introduce any effective plan in this respect.
Mushtaq Awan, an environmentalist, said the people living in the villages increase use of firewood in the winter season because they have no option for survival in extreme weather conditions.
“It is not only a matter of grave concern for survival of wildlife species but also for beauty of the ‘green city’ that is generally known for its unique natural character,” he said.
Posted in: Islamabad
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