The Punjab Forest Department has approved a project that designated eight forests in the Rawalpindi Division as national parks.
The project is part of the provincial department’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year as part of its effort to protect and breed endangered wildlife and conserve forests and increase cover. An amount of Rs150 million has been set aside for it.
In addition to the eight forests in Rawalpindi, two forests in Gujrat and Bahawalpur have also been designated as protected areas.
Both legal and illegal hunting of animals and birds, especially the endangered Nilgaye (blue bull), chinkara (gazelle), phara (hog deer), Urial (with curling horns), wild peacock, pheasant and deer will be prohibited in these national parks.
There will also be a ban on cutting trees in the parks, with offenders to face criminal prosecution. It would be prohibited to carry saws, axes, matches, cigarette lighters in the forests. Tourists will not be allowed to make barbeque or start a fire to cook food within its limits.
Massive
A national park will be built on an area of 117,044 acres spanning four hill sub-districts of Murree, Kotli Sattian, Kahuta and Kallar Syedan in Rawalpindi district.
Another area of 10,009 acres of Choa Saidan Shah Forest in the district Chakwal of Rawalpindi Division has been designated as a national park. It is a very dense park which has been impacted by the continuous cutting of trees.
An area of 45,89 acres of the forest in Malot in Kallar Kahar has been given the same status.
The 13,700-acre forest adjacent to the Kallar Kahar lake in Chakwal has also been designated a National Park.
Chakwal's other forest, Noor jungle, is protected as well after being approved in the project. It covers an area of 15,190 acres.
The Shinji National Park in the central areas of Chakwal and Attock will be expanded in the second phase and an additional area of 15,003 acres will be integrated into it as part of the project.
The large forest of Khairi Murat in Attock’s Fateh Jang sub-district will be converted into a national park. It will cover an area of 12,533 acres.
Kala Chitta Pahari Forest of Talagang in Chakwal is another forest to become a protected site. The area of this hill forest will be 91,342 acres.
Apart from Rawalpindi Division, 36,374 acres of Rasool Forest in District Gujarat has been converted into a national park.
Another 162,567 acres of Lal Sahanra Forest in Bahawalpur has also been designated a protected forest.
The construction and renovation work on these parks will start in the mid of July.
The secretary of the forest department, Mudassir Waheed Malik said that the completion of the ten new parks will help control the problems posed by pollution.
He added that between 20,000 to 40,000 saplings, flowering plants, and fruit trees will be planted in these parks. The plantation drive is scheduled to start from July 15.
The secretary added that hunting will be prohibited the protected forests. Even those with hunting permits will not be allowed to hunt.
He added that the forest department planned to introduce pairs of birds and wild animals to bring diversity to the national park and add to its ecology.
In order to ensure protection, a boundary wall with barbed wire would be erected at different points to deter hunters and violators. He added that key points would be equipped with surveillance cameras to keep an eye on those involved in cutting trees as well as to maintain overall security.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 14th, 2023.
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