The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) has decided to repurpose the abandoned Monal Restaurant into a wildlife education facility. The IWMB has already written a proposal, which will be submitted to the Ministry of Climate Change in the coming days for final approval.
In this regard, IWMB Chairperson Rina Satti stated that the wildlife education center will assist the authorities in raising public knowledge about the protection and preservation of the Margalla Hills National Park’s (MHNP) fauna.
She went on to say that after gaining an OK from the Capital Development Authority (CDA), the request was forwarded to the Climate Change Ministry for final clearance.
The news comes only weeks after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) ordered the administration of the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) to close Monal Restaurant and Margalla Greens Golf Club.
The IHC also ordered the capital administration to hand over responsibility of the restaurant and golf club to the IWMB, which will reintegrate these facilities into the MHNP in accordance with the country’s environmental rules.
The IHC had previously accused many authorities of being complacent about the damage of Margalla Hills National Park and the animal sanctuary on November 9. A survey of the damage was also required by the court, as well as the submission of a report.
Earlier that month, the court had also ordered Pakistan’s attorney general to clarify whether Messers Remount, the GHQ’s veterinary and agriculture directorate, could lawfully possess or administer state land within the national park’s designated region.
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