ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) has requested Capital Development Authority (CDA) to share lease details of commercial entities operating in the national park as the board wants all the existing licences of kiosks (if any) cancelled by the CDA so that it (board) could issue it afresh to regulate small existing businesses.

Speaking to Dawn, Chairperson IWMB Rina Saeed Khan said that last year the Supreme Court, while terming big restaurants La Montana, Gloria Jean and Monal illegal had protected the right of existing small businesses.

The SC, in its order stated: “Small kiosks, on or around Pir Sohawa road, in the national park may continue to be operated provided they are licensed by Islamabad Wildlife Management Board strictly abide by the terms of license which must include collecting of all garbage and generated by each and their respective costumers and disposing it and outside the precincts of the national park and if they are permitted to have a stove then they must also have fire extinguisher.”

She stated that the board wanted to regulate existing small businesses in light of SC orders, but without concrete structures, preferably bamboo made kiosks, therefore, “we sought details of leases granted by CDA so that we can identify small kiosks,” she said and added that the board had shared a list of all 77 existing restaurants/tuck shops with CDA to know the details of lease if any.

“We are not going to deprive small vendors of their businesses but we would not allow any restaurant activity in Margalla Hills,” she said.

Through an official letter dated January 4, which was addressed to Chairman CDA, the board shared a list of 77 food outlets and tuck shops, which according to the board were operating in the national park area. The board stated that seven such outlets are operating in Damn-i-Koh, 18 restaurants/tuck shops at Shahdhra viewpoint, 4 at Mandla area, 20 small tuck shops/restaurants at Lohi Dhandi area, 14 in Saidpur range, five in Kantla and seven at Shah Allah Ditta.

The IWMB in its letter said Supreme Court in its letter dated 21-08-2024 stated: “Any lease, license, allotment or permission granted by CDA, or by the Remount, Veterinary and Farms Directorate or any other department/authority to operate restaurants in the National Park was contrary to the provisions of the Islamabad Wildlife (protection, preservation, conservation, and management) ordinance, 1979.

Therefore, the same are declared to be no legal effect and set aside,” read the letter. It further quoting SC orders stated:“For the proper management of the National Park, CDA shall assist the Wildlife Management Board whenever required.”

The board in its letter provided a list carrying names of 77 food or tuck shops details to CDA, which are operating in the national park. “For administrative purposes and to assist in the implementation of orders of the Supreme Court, we request the following information in the list, and others that may be operating under leases or allotment issued by CDA,” read the letter. The board sought details of names of commercial entity, complete copy of lease issued, inclusive terms and condition, date of issue and date of expiry, amount received and amount receivable by CDA from the date of issuance of the void ab initio lease till date, name of issuing authority, who issued the leases. It is relevant to note here in its last year orders, the SC mainly focused three restaurants along Pir Sohawa road – Monal, La Montana and Gloria Jean, in national park.

While the Wild Life Act 1979 stated that the areas falls in Shakarparian and the areas within a two kilometre radius of Rawal Dam also fall in the limit of national park, but in this part of the national park, several restaurants and hotels are operating.

When contacted, Deputy Director General Environment CDA Irfan Niazi said that CDA is going to submit its reply to SC, in which the apex court would be informed that around 130 hotels, restaurants and kiosks are operating in national park area including in Shakarparian and two-kilometre radius of Rawal Dam.

Asked about the details sought by chairperson IWMB from CDA, he said: “First, as per my personal opinion, she is no longer chairperson of the board, as the act under which she was operating is repealed and now board needs to be reconstituted under section 3 of the act. As far as letter in question is concerned, I have not seen it yet,” he said.

Published in Dawn, February 4th, 2025