RAWALPINDI: The district administration has decided to start a project under public-private partnership to protect land and upgrade Lohi Bher Wildlife Park.

Commissioner retired Capt Mohammad Mehmood told Dawn that the district administration had been directed to protect this facility where animals were provided a natural habitat.

He said the administration would improve the condition of the Lion Safari inLohiBherWildlifeParkand sought suggestions from the relevant department.

He said the administration wanted to provide better recreational facilities to the residents of the twin cities, adding that the parkwas located at an ideal location which could be accessed by tourists without any hassle.

“Boundary pillars will be installed to protect land from encroachment and ponds will be reconstructed for the wild animals and birds and to conserve rainwater to irrigate the park land,” Mr Mehmood said, adding that trees would also be planted.

“SOPs/rules and regulations will be developed to outsource civil works and sanitation and operate the park under public-private partnership,” he said.

The commissioner said in 1887, the Lohi Bher forest was spread on an area of 1,087 acres and was transferred to the forest department. In 2016, he said the Lohi Bher forest was handed over to the Wildlife Department.

On the other hand, a senior forest department official said the wildlife park had a covered area of over 1,080 acres which had now reduced to 460 acres due to encroachments.

He said the park had lions, wolves, neelgais, bear, black deer, monkeys, partridges and various types of birds.

According to informed sources, on the orders of the Supreme Court and the request of the Punjab Forest Department, the Survey of Pakistan and the Islamabad Revenue Department had identified the encroached land in the area in 2011.

In a joint anti-encroachment operation conducted by the Islamabad administration and the Forest and Wildlife Department on Sept 21, 2020, eight kanals were retrieved from a housing society and handed over to the Wildlife Department.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner retired Capt Mohammad Anwarul Haq visited Lohi Bher Park and reviewed the situation on the direction of the commissioner.

Talking to Dawn, the deputy commissioner said he had visited the site to check encroachments in the area on the directives of the Supreme court. However, he said the park’s condition was deplorable and needed repair, adding that work on its rehabilitation would start soon.

Published in Dawn, December 31st, 2020