'Authorities must work towards conservation of wildlife habitat'.

ISLAMABAD -- Authorities and government institutions must work towards conservation of the natural ecosystem and wildlife habitat in Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP).

This was pointed out by speakers during an event, 'Snapshot Wildlife Margalla Hills National Park.'

There is also a need to control incoming vehicles and visitors and strictly restrict change in land-use within the boundaries of MNHP, they added.

The event twas organised by Development Communications Network (Devcom-Pakistan) in collaboration with Mivida Pakistan and Pakistan Wildlife Foundation (PWF).

Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) Chairperson Rina Saeed Khan was guest of honour on the occasion. The speakers included former deputy director general of WWF Pakistan and biodiversity expert Dr Ejaz Ahmed, Executive Director Devcom-Pakistan Munir Ahmed, former National Council of Conservation for Wildlife (NCCW) director Umeed Khalid, Dr Mohammad Rafi, and PWF Vice Chairman Safwan Shahab Ahmed.

Wildlife photographer Abdul Hadi gave a pictorial presentation of the MHNP wildlife while young conservationists Minahil Safwan, Sana and Shareef Munir were also among the speakers.

Ms Khan said a Rs1.8 billion PC-I has been submitted to the Ministry of Climate Change for approval, adding this funding will help strengthen IWMB.

New initiatives include conversion of the zoo to a wildlife conservation centre, development and maintenance of trails in the MHNP, wildlife rescue service, and establishment of a centre for National Park services, she said, adding IWMB was established under the instructions of Islamabad High Court in 2005 and since then it has...