ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is planning to get back control of the erstwhile Marghazar Zoo, which it intends to use for educational and recreational purposes.

The civic body aims to reopen the zoo after taking over its administrative control from the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) and extend educational and recreational opportunities to families, students and nature enthusiasts.

According to sources in the civic agency, the CDA is expected to place this issue before its board and once the board agrees, the matter will be referred to the federal cabinet to acquire the zoo from the IWMB.

The facility has been closed to the public for the last three years following the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) decision.

Claims high court did not hand over facility to IWMB forever

A CDA document said the zoo played an important role in providing educational and recreational opportunities to families, students and nature enthusiasts.

“It offers a unique chance to observe and learn about various animal species. With the closure of this zoo, the residents of Islamabad were deprived of this valuable resource,” it went on to say.

According to the CDA, after getting administrative control from the IWMB, it will build the zoo as per international standards, stating that the IHC, in its 2020 decision, had not directed that the zoo be closed forever, but ordered that an animal shelter/zoo infrastructure be built as per international zoological and animal husbandry standards.

The CDA’s environment wing has prepared a summary for the board to take up the matter with the federal cabinet.

The summary, seen by Dawn, stated that unfortunately, “the claim of the IWMB to restore the Islamabad Zoo to the international standards could not happen till date. Even further the management of zoo was not handed over by court to IWMB for all times to come, rather it was for temporary period during which shifting of animals had to take place.”

“The closure of the zoo by the IWMB due to inadequate animal care has left citizens without a source of entertainment and has led to the wastage of valuable land and infrastructure. Despite the transfer of administrative control to the IWMB, the zoo remains non-operational,” it added.

The summary went on to say that the zoo had previously played a critical role in the conservation, preservation and protection of different animal and bird species in the Margalla Hills National Park.

“It actively participated in the breeding and release of various birds and animals, and contributed to the maintenance of the city’s ecological balance. However, since its closure, there has been a noticeable decline in the fauna of the hills. The zoo’s absence has disrupted the natural habitat and ecosystem of certain species, further emphasising the importance of reinstating its operations. Not only will this help restore the biodiversity in the area, but also demonstrate the commitment of Islamabad to preserve its natural heritage,” it added.

It further said that after getting back the control of the facility from the IWMB, the CDA will implement the necessary reforms and hire a consultant and qualified staff to ensure proper animal care, which would address the concerns of the Islamabad High Court.

A senior CDA officer confirmed to Dawn about the civic agency’s plan to get back the zoo.

He said in the absence of a zoo in the capital, residents had to visit a private housing society or Ayub Park in Rawalpindi, which was great injustice with them.

Following reports of poor management, the zoo was closed down in 2020 on the direction of the IHC and its operation, including its land and infrastructure, was handed over to the IWMB.

When contacted, the IWMB said that world over the trend was to decommission zoos and not set up any such facility. The wildlife board had already converted the zoo into a rescue centre and hoped to build a Margalla wildlife centre whenever it received the long-awaited funds from the government.

“The IHC gave a landmark decision against putting animals on display and not increasing their suffering. Animals are not meant for entertainment. This decision of the IHC was handed down three years ago and was not challenged,” IWMB Chairperson Rina Saeed Khan said.

Three years ago, the IHC realised the terrible state of the zoo and the animals it housed.

Kaavan, the loneliest elephant in the world, besides the two brown bears, were eventually sent abroad to live their lives in comfort and better care.

Ms Khan said in June 2021, the zoo’s management was handed over to it by the federal cabinet in a ceremony, and an agreement was signed between the CDA and IWMB.

“Any matters pertaining to the old Islamabad zoo is now in the hands of the IWMB management,” she said, adding that the wildlife management board had a blue print of converting half of the facility into a rescue centre. The remaining half would be turned into a visitors’ information facility.

“The IWMB has been operating the rescue centre, which is home to a rescued tiger cub, seven black bear cubs besides monkeys and birds. The board has also rescued and released eight endangered pangolins into their natural habitat,” she added.

Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2024