For over five years, I have cherished the tranquility of morning and evening walks along the trails of this forest, nestled in the heart of Islamabad. Each stroll through the lush greenery has gifted me glimpses of the diverse local fauna, including wild boar, rabbits, porcupines, jackals, and the occasional sight of a white fox adorned with distinctive black patches. The skies above resonate with the melodies of common bulbuls, mynas, sparrows, the majestic Monal Pheasant, and the elegant water hen, contributing to the rich biodiversity of Islamabad.
However, the idyllic scenery is under grave threat. This year, the communities residing in nearby areas, such as Bania Gala, Dhok Jillani, and Bara Kahu, have engaged in a ruthless onslaught on the forest's decades-old sheesham trees. Power and gas outages, coupled with the harsh winter, have driven them to indiscriminately cut down these majestic trees, depleting the once-thick forest. Astonishingly, the entire forest falls under the jurisdiction of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) in Islamabad, which maintains a post near the jungle.
Despite the CDA's responsibility to protect this natural haven, there is a stark absence of patrols or accountability for the rampant tree-cutting activities. The forest, once teeming with life, now resembles a barren plain, a stark consequence of the unchecked activities of logging mafias and local families. The urgency is exacerbated by the soaring demand for timber in the winter, with the very guardians of this ecological treasure seemingly complicit in its demise.
If immediate action is not taken, the consequences are dire. The vibrant forest that has been a cornerstone of Islamabad's reputation as the greenest capital in the world could vanish within three to five years. As Pakistan grapples with the severe impacts of climate change, preserving the Bani Gala National Park becomes imperative. It is not just about saving a forest; it is about safeguarding the identity of Islamabad as a haven of natural beauty and wildlife. The attached pictures, captured during my routine walks, serve as poignant evidence of this environmental tragedy. Let us unite to raise awareness and demand swift intervention to preserve this irreplaceable treasure for generations to come.
#DCIslambad #CDA #IslamabadGovernment #ClimateChange #BaniGala #Wildlife #Deforestation #Pakistan #Islamabad #BaraKahu
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