The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has announced plans to install fencing around Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP) in a bid to prevent illegal land occupation. The initiative will begin on the Taxila side and extend to the Murree boundary.
Officials explained that the lack of a clearly marked boundary has long enabled encroachers to seize government land. “Once the fencing is in place, the confusion over boundaries will be resolved, making it easier to protect the park,” said a CDA representative. The new barriers will separate private land in Zone III from the national park, ensuring both areas are distinctly identified.
Recently, CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa, accompanied by board members, visited the starting point of the project near Taxila.
He emphasized the importance of safeguarding the Margalla Hills, describing them as a defining feature of Islamabad. The CDA, in partnership with the Ministry of Climate Change and other agencies, is committed to preserving the park’s natural environment and wildlife.
“I have instructed our engineering team to begin the fencing work immediately, and we are determined to complete the project as quickly as possible,” Mr. Randhawa stated. He added that the new fencing will put an end to encroachments and provide a clear demarcation between the national park and adjacent private land.
The boundaries of MHNP were previously mapped by the Survey of Pakistan in 2008 and again in 2023. According to a CDA board member, the fencing project is expected to be finished within a few months. Although a similar effort was launched in the past, it was discontinued early on. This time, the CDA plans to install boundary markers and fencing simultaneously to ensure steady progress.
Zone III of Islamabad covers more than 50,000 acres, with about 30,000 acres designated as part of the national park. The remaining land is privately owned and home to many local residents. However, the CDA neither acquires this private land nor permits regulated construction, resulting in unplanned settlements and a lack of basic services.
Some officials have suggested that, alongside the fencing project, the CDA should address the broader issue of unregulated development in Zone III. They argue that simply banning construction on private land is not a viable solution and that the CDA should either acquire the land or introduce regulations to manage development, while also providing essential infrastructure such as sewage, roads, and clean water.
