ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has issued a challan against a citizen for going off-road in his 4x4 vintage jeep on Trail 4 in violation of the laws protecting the Margalla Hills National Park.

“The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) has detailed things to do on the walking/hiking trails and going off-road was not one of them,” a guard at Trail 4 told Dawn on Saturday.

“This is exactly why the IWMB is reluctant to open more trails because people are simply careless and don’t take ownership of the national park, which they must also protect. It is the elitist mindset that needs to be changed that laws are the same for all,” he said.

According to the IWMB staff, the individual, driving his foreigner guests, was aware of rules and regulations in the national park but still went on the trail riding. When confronted by the staff protecting the national park, the individual, instead of apologising, was ‘very rude’.

The incident went viral on social media, with pictures of the offender.

“No respect for the national park, no respect for wildlife and no respect for our park rangers. Today these individuals brought their jeep inside Trail 4 claiming it was a jeep track. They were then rude to IWMB volunteers who tried to stop them,” IWMB said on Twitter.

The jobs of the staff became harder recently after IWMB had to let go off 30 staff members following the government’s austerity measures.

Talking to Dawn, IWMB Chairperson Rina Saeed Khan said: “It will help immensely if the parliament passed the Islamabad Nature and Wildlife Management Act. If the act is passed, the board can become self-sufficient by charging visitors nominal fees and covering running expenses. It will empower the board to look after the park better,” she said.

She also said if the act was passed, it would also empower the board to fine offenders, such as the perpetrators who went offroading on a hiking track, which also fell under the protected leopard preserve area.

Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2022