ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) now has the judicial power to protect Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP) in a much better way as Chief Commissioner Noorul Amin Mengal conferred magisterial powers upon two officials of the board.
The IWMB is supposed to look after affairs of MHNP however, before, it had no power to take action against violators of rules.
In a major development, Chief Commissioner Noorul Amin Mengal has conferred powers of magistrate (first class) upon two officials of the board.
According to notifications, director of IWMB Dr Tariq Mehmood Bangash and Assistant Director Ayesha Shahzad have been given the power.
Spread over 12,605 hectares, the park is the main factor behind the beauty of the capital city.
In the past, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) used to regulate affairs related to the park, however, some years ago, the said board was formed for this purpose. However, the board and the civic agency have been at loggerheads over several issues.
Now, after the said notification, the board officials will be able to independently take action against any type of violation in the national park area.
The said officials, under the powers given to them, will be able to send anyone to jail and impose fines as well.
“Now, board officials can take action against violators of rules including those involved in fire incidents in the hills as every year, the hills witness many fire incidents,” said an official.
When contacted, acting Islamabad Wildlife Management Board chairperson Vaqar Zakaria said it was a longstanding demand of the board to have magisterial power.
“We have been demanding since long and finally, the chief commissioner conferred the power to our two officers. We welcome this move as it was needed,” he said, adding that the board operates in accordance with the 1979 Ordinance, under which there was no magisterial power given to it and this resulted into several issues.
“Today, we received the notification and tomorrow we will hold the meeting in this regard. We will see what our officers will now be able to do. I guess, they can take action against those, who disturb the landscape of Margallas and those involved in fire incidents. Similarly, they can also take action against hunters, which is indeed a big development as now we can well protect the Margallas,” Mr Zakaria said and appreciated the chief commissioner for fulfilling the board’s demand.
Meanwhile, notifications, which were issued by deputy director (administration) on Monday stated: “In exercise of power vested to him under section 14(3) of CrPC 1898 read with Justice Division notification’s of 1980 … and all other powers enabling him in this behalf, the Chief Commission (ICT) is pleased to confer powers of Magistrate Ist Class upon Dr Tariq Mehmood Bangash director (wildlife) IWMB [and another notification says, upon Ayesha Shahzad Assistant Director of IWMB] within the territorial limit of Islamabad Capital Territory, to exercise all or any of the powers under Criminal Procedure Code 1898 to perform duties with immediate effect for the period of six months.”
Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2023