The Hidden Cost of Loving Margalla Hills Too Much
Bahadur Ali
Islamabad: As the first light of dawn spreads over the Margalla Hills, a quiet transformation begins. Families arrive for morning walks, students gather for weekend adventures, office workers seek a break from routine, and hikers set out toward the winding trails that offer Islamabad a rare connection with nature.
By early morning on weekends, parking areas near Sectors F-5 and F-6 are already crowded with visitors eager to experience the breathtaking views, fresh mountain air and peaceful surroundings of the Margallas.
But the growing popularity of these trails has created a new challenge: the very visitors who come to enjoy the hills are unintentionally putting their fragile ecosystem at risk.
For decades, the Margalla Hills have served as Islamabad’s natural sanctuary, providing a green escape from urban life while protecting a rich variety of wildlife. However, regular hikers and environmentalists warn that increasing footfall, combined with irresponsible behavior, is slowly damaging this unique landscape.
Littering, loud music, smoking, off-trail hiking and a lack of awareness among first-time visitors have become major concerns for those who have spent years exploring the trails.
“Cleaning is done every week, but people still litter on the trails,” said Muhammad Ismail, a regular hiker, highlighting that awareness among visitors is more important than repeated clean-up campaigns. He also called for emergency first-aid facilities at higher points of the hiking routes.
Veteran hiker Raja Sajid Riaz, who has explored the Margallas for nearly four decades, believes fire prevention should be a top priority, especially during dry weather.
“Smoking should be banned on the trails by any means,” he warned, explaining that a single discarded cigarette butt can ignite dry vegetation and threaten large areas of forest.
His concerns reflect the dangers faced by the hills in recent years, including a major forest fire that forced authorities to temporarily close hiking trails as emergency teams battled the flames.
For many visitors, the journey through the Margallas is not just about exercise—it is an experience of Islamabad’s natural heritage. The hills are home to rhesus macaques, grey langurs, barking deer, wild boars, porcupines and hundreds of bird species, while camera traps continue to monitor the presence of elusive leopards.
Popular routes such as Trail 3 and Trail 5 attract thousands of hikers every weekend, many of whom continue their journey toward Pir Sohawa to enjoy panoramic views of Faisal Mosque and Rawal Lake.
However, increased tourism has also exposed safety gaps. Visitor Zafar Iqbal pointed out that the absence of proper direction signs often creates difficulties for newcomers.
“There is a lack of direction signs on the trails. New hikers usually get lost while going upward,” he said.
Safety concerns gained attention after the tragic death of a teenage hiker on Trail 5, prompting calls for better signboards, visitor registration systems, emergency communication points and improved rescue arrangements.
Environmental experts believe the solution lies not in limiting access to the hills but in promoting responsible tourism. They stress that plastic waste, illegal dumping and careless activities can permanently damage an ecosystem that took centuries to develop.
Currently, several institutions—including the Capital Development Authority, Islamabad Wildlife Management Board, Islamabad Police, district administration and Rescue 1122—share responsibility for managing the area. Hikers and conservationists argue that a coordinated strategy is needed to improve emergency response and protect the environment.
The Margalla Hills remain Islamabad’s most treasured natural asset. But as more people discover their beauty, the future of these trails depends on a simple principle: enjoying nature comes with the responsibility to protect it.
Without responsible tourism, the peaceful refuge that attracts thousands every weekend could become a victim of its own popularity.
