LAKKI MARWAT: The provincial government has approved a project to develop and effectively manage Sheikh Badin national park to promote ecotourism and raise the livelihood of local communities in Lakki Marwat and DI Khan districts.

Established as a game sanctuary in 1972 by the government the mountainous range of Sheikh Badin was declared as a national park in 1993 over an area of 15,540 hectares, but so far no infrastructure was developed.

In this regard, deputy commissioner Mohammad Bakhtiar Khan presided over a meeting on Tuesday, which was also attended by Bannu district forest officer Khan Malook and DI Khan DFO Sajeel Ahmad. Mr Malook told the meeting that under the project entry gate of the park, office and residences of officials, information centre, dormitory, park complex and other facilities would be established.

He said that the park association and village conservation committees would also be set up to implement the relevant activities. He said that development of the park would help increase livelihood opportunities for the local communities.

Mr Bakhtiar said that the administration would provide assistance to the wildlife department to promote tourism and conserve wildlife in the district.

He said that the project was essential for the promotion of ecotourism in southern region of province. He said that the district administration would provide an old building located on top of Sheikh Badin Mountain for setting up the park complex.

He said that rehabilitation of the British era building and its use as park complex would save funds reserved for buying land and establishing such a complex on it.

He urged the provincial government to ensure black topping of the Sheikh Badin road and availability of water in the park.

Published in Dawn, March 9th, 2016