CDA Plans Rs 2 Billion Project to Reforest Margalla Hills

News Desk
Islamabad: In a move to bolster biodiversity and greenery within Margalla Hills, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has formulated a Project Concept Paper (PC-1) for a venture valued at over Rs 2 billion, aimed at planting 10 million trees within the park.
The CDA is presently in the process of forwarding the PC-1 to the federal government to secure funding in the forthcoming fiscal year 2024–25 under the public sector development program, with an estimated cost of Rs 2,158.614 million.
Islamabad, sprawling over 908 square kilometers, encompasses Margalla Hills and 32 acquired villages, totaling 39,000 acres of land as per the master plan, designated as a national park in the 1980s.
Located on the northern periphery of Islamabad, south of the Haripur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the park spans over 15,782.74 hectares (39,000 acres).
The PC-I for the project, titled “Enhancing Biodiversity and Green Cover by Managing Natural Resources, Maintenance, and Rehabilitation of the Landscape of Margalla Hills National Park,” has been drafted by the environment wing of the CDA and is slated for implementation over a span of five years.
According to the PC-I, the primary objective of the project is to enrich the flora and fauna of the national park and ensure its preservation to attract both the public and tourists.
Furthermore, the PC-I asserts that the project will contribute to climate change mitigation, and through its implementation, the CDA aims to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the national park.
Due to the high birth rate and the influx of settlements from other parts of the country, Islamabad city is rapidly losing its green cover due to construction activities, leading to various environmental issues. One significant concern is the depletion of groundwater, as highlighted in the PC-I document.
According to the PC-I, the current landscape of the park is dominated by two invasive species, namely lantana and paper mulberry, which collectively cover 7,150 acres of land and disrupt the growth of native species.
Moreover, the mountains surrounding the area hold significant watershed value and serve as a crucial source of freshwater. However, due to the lack of green cover, a substantial amount of water is lost through high runoff.
To address these issues, the PC-I proposes prioritizing the planting of indigenous species such as chir pine, amaltas, and kachnar, while also employing guards to protect these trees. Additionally, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) plans to construct check dams and water ponds within the park.
Speaking to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), a CDA official affirmed that all relevant aspects have been considered in the PC-I. Stressing the project’s importance, the official emphasized its potential to enhance biodiversity and increase green cover in the federal capital, foreseeing far-reaching impacts.

Notably, the PC-I was signed by Director General Environment Qaiser Khattak, Member Environment Shahzad Khalil, and CDA Chairman Anwarul Haq, underscoring the commitment of key stakeholders to address environmental challenges in Islamabad.