Margalla Hills National Park – Urban Escape into the Wild: A Unique Wildlife Destination In Pakistan

Location and Overview

The Margalla Hills National Park is located just outside of Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan. Islamabad is one of the cosmopolitan cities of Pakistan and home to several national monuments and landmark sites. Connected via major air and land transport terminals of the capital city, the  Margalla Hills National Park is one of the most accessible wildlife sanctuaries in Pakistan. The park is home to over 900 species of flora and fauna which makes it one of Pakistan’s most diverse and well-preserved wildlife sanctuaries of the country.

History and Geography

Margalla Hills National Park was designated as a National Park in 1980 and takes its name from the breathtaking Margalla Hills, which take up most of the space in the park. The hills attract a lot of interest from paleontologists all around the world because of rock formations and fossils which are dated in the range of 40-50 million years old. The most interesting information regarding the Margalla Hills is that they are considered to be the westernmost starting points of the Himalayan Range.

Habitat and Biodiversity

The Margalla Hills National Park houses over 900 species of flora and fauna. The diverse range of wildlife inhabitants include the rare species – such as Pangolin and the Chinkara gazelle – and also threatened species like the Asiatic leopard, barking deer and the gray goral. Over 200 hundred recorded species of birds also live here with notable beauties such as the Indian sparrow hawk, spotted doves, vultures, and the near threatened Laggar falcon. Winter migrants from the northern regions of Pakistan can also be found here. The Margalla Hills National Park is also home to reptiles such as Russell’s viper and Indian Cobra, to name a few. The vegetation on the Margalla Hills is diverse comprising mostly of deciduous and evergreen trees. Trees, shrubs and various forms of grasses can be found here. The climate is humid, subtropical, and the area receives its fair share of the annual, seasonal monsoon rainfalls.

Threats and Conservation

The Margalla Hills National Park is an extension of the Islamabad Wildlife Sanctuary. The primary reason for the establishment and designation of Margalla Hills and the surrounding areas as a protected national park was to provide a safe natural habitat to the endangered species of leopards, deer, and gorals. Many commercial establishments are slowly encroaching the heart of the park as it attracts visitors for its rich biodiversity. As the wildlife was pushed to the east and west of the hills to accommodate the ventures, distress calls have been issued and being acted upon by various movements in the country. Deforestation is another major issue threatening the wildlife of the park.

Tourism

The park is an attractive tourist destination, and a Visitor Centre is planned to be set up at Daman-e-Koh (the heart of the hill), which is a high observation platform and the most popular tourist attraction in the region. Birdwatchers flock to the location in spring while rock climbing, trekking, and hiking are carried out all year. A chairlift project is also under construction while additional attractions include the Shakarparian Cultural Complex and private clubs providing paragliding and hand gliding facilities.

Written By: Bilal A. Usman, Pakistan