ISLAMABAD: The city managers have decided to acquire drone cameras for monitoring wildlife and forests.

As a pilot project, the CDA has floated a tender to purchase a drone camera with latest equipment at a cost of Rs6.8 million for the Model Forestry Park, Malpur.

“The use of drone will enable detection of encroachments in the forest area which will help in taking timely action against the encroachers.

Similarly, the camera will also help in determining the types of wildlife found in the forests of Islamabad while also helping in determining the migratory wildlife,” said a press release issued by CDA on Sunday.

It said technology could be used for other measures, including preventing illegal logging. Other problems, including forest fires, could also be identified and addressed on time.

The Model Forestry Park is being developed under the supervision of director environment protection cell Rana Tahir Mahmood, who has been making efforts for acquiring the drone technology for the park, said sources.

They said the park was being developed on 350 acres and so far 50,000 trees have been planted while on January 13 the CDA will float a new tender for purchasing 50,000 more trees (cheer pine, amaltas and kachnar) which will be planted in the spring season.

A CDA official said the civic agency was also planning to get over 100 close circuit television cameras for installation in the park for security of plants and visitors.

Published in Dawn, December 27th, 2021