CDA Faces Criticism for Its Bid to Reacquire Islamabad Zoo

Ali Jabir
Islamabad: Environmentalists and civil society in Islamabad criticized the Capital Development Authority (CDA) for expressing its desire to reclaim the former Islamabad Marghazar Zoo. Currently functioning as the sole Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center under the jurisdiction of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB), the move has drawn widespread disapproval from concerned citizens and environmental advocates.
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has expressed its intention to regain control of the Zoo from the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB), according to a recent news article in a national newspaper.
However, the IWMB already has plans to transform the closed zoo into a visitors’ information and educational center focused on wildlife.
A member of civil society, who operates a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation organization within the old zoo premises, shared anonymously with APP that the 2020 Islamabad High Court (IHC) verdict clearly states that the zoo should be permanently closed, and management handed over to the IWMB.
The court directed IWMB to work towards preventing cruelty to animals in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) with the collaboration of government agencies such as the Chief Commissioner and IG Police offices.
The wildlife rescue non-governmental organization is collaborating with IWMB to support its operations at the Rescue Center, relying on donations from civil society due to limited government funding from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination after the 2022 floods.
IWMB, led by Chairperson Rina Saeed Khan, plans to establish a “most modern” Wildlife Conservation and Information Centre, with the blueprint designed by architect Raza Ali Dada. The CDA’s interest in the zoo’s land is questioned, as the civil society member suggests that the CDA already possesses land in Shakarparian National Park and Lake View Park for public education and recreation.
The suggestion is to transform the zoo into a well-designed public information and education center focusing on the wildlife of Margalla Hills National Park, home to various plant and animal species. The member emphasizes the need to cohabit with wildlife, citing examples of countries banning wildlife captivity in zoos.
The delay in enacting the Islamabad Nature Conservation and Wildlife Management Act, 2023, is regretted, and the civil society member highlights the success of converting King’s Zoo in Nepal into an education and wildlife rehabilitation center. Chairperson IWMB, Rina Saeed Khan, emphasizes that the IHC verdict must be followed, and any repossession of the zoo is out of the question.
The poor governance and maltreatment of animals in the zoo led to a bad reputation for the country. In contrast, the Margalla Wildlife Center, now hosting the Wildlife Rescue Center, has successfully rescued and rehabilitated numerous animals since 2020.
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination official stated that possession of the zoo must go through the court, and the CDA would need strong reasons to contest it legally, as the earlier court decision allowed IWMB to take over due to the CDA’s poor upkeep of wildlife.