Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP) which had the potential to be developed as an eco-tourist spot was facing many threats, including forest fires and deforestation.
The ever-increasing human settlements, mining, fuel wood extraction, wildlife hunting, livestock grazing, road construction, air, noise and water pollution, and recently installed lights on the Daman-e-Koh Road were the main problems in the park area.
Entire avifauna of Pakistan comprised 667 birds and out of these, 380 species of birds were seen in the federal capital, enhancing the natural beauty of the metropolitan, in which diverse weather condition prevailed throughout the year.
Common, abundant and frequent species were 244 in total and the new species which were first ever seen in Islamabad were Olive backed Pipit and Dusky Warbler.
“There was an unconfirmed sighting of red-legged Falcon, which would be a new species for Pakistan,” Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH) Director Dr Rafique told APP.
“Several globally threatened species could also be seen here,” he said, adding that oriental white backed vultures were occasionally seen in large numbers.
PMNH Director said the park on the right side of the Rawal Lake might be a potential threat for bird species and needed continuous monitoring.
He said the MHNP was being treated as a national park with hotels, roads, restaurants, street lights, view points and jogging tracks.
