ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has given approval for the construction of the world’s biggest aviary in Islamabad’s F-9 Park which would span over an area of at least 10 acres.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the CDA board, chaired by the authority’s chairman, Noorul Amin Mengal, on Tuesday.

According to the CDA, the aviary would be set up on 10 acres and a private firm has been tasked to develop this facility through design, build, operate and transfer (DBOT).

The documents said that the primary objective of this proposal was to establish an aviary within F-9 Park, which would serve as a “sanctuary for various bird species, contribute to biodiversity conservation and create an engaging learning experience” for visitors.

Civic agency okays auction of 20 plots for Capital Street

It further said the aviary would provide a dedicated space for the preservation and conservation of species.

A board member said that the CDA decided that the aviary would be established through an open auction and under the DBOT model.

He said the board had directed the planning wing to make changes to the master plan of F-9 Park.

“This aviary will be the world’s largest facility,” claimed CDA’s spokesman Syed Safdar Shah.

Meanwhile, the board also approved the auction of 20 plots for food outlets in Capital Street, which would be developed in the Art and Craft Village near the 7th Avenue interchange.

The CDA allocated 50 plots for the project, but the board approved the auction of 20 plots in the first phase. An open auction for these 20 plots would be held soon.

The CDA board also approved the “revised layout plans” for three new residential sectors, F-13, D-13 and E-13.

The LOPs were revived on the basis of topographic surveys. “After resolving pending compensation cases of locals land owners (whose land had been acquired by CDA and they are eligible for getting compensation from CDA in cash and developed plots) the civic agency will proceed with the development work in these sectors,” said a town planner.

The development work would take two years to complete, he said, adding that the CDA could earn over Rs100 billion from the auction of commercial and residential plots in these sectors.

The board was told that overall, these sectors have over 13,000 plots of various sizes. The board in principle approved revised LOPs and recommended some improvements in plans.

The CDA acquired these sectors under the land-sharing formula more than a decade ago. As per this arrangement, local landowners will be given a developed plot of one kanal against four kanals.

Meanwhile, the CDA board also approved the budget for fiscal year 2023-24. The board approved an outlay of Rs150.94 billion for the civic agency.

According to the budget document, the total expenditure of the civic agency would be Rs150 billion and Rs90 million, while Rs850 million would be the surplus amount.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2023