Instituted in 1980, the Margallah Hills National Park comprises of the Margallah Range (12605 ha) the Rawal Lake, and Shakarparian Sports and Cultural complex. The hill range mestles between on elevation of 685 meters at the western end and 1,604 meters on its east. The rock formations are 40 million years old, and fossils of marine life abound every where bearing eloquent testimony that the Margallah hills were at one time under the sea. The vegetation of the southern slopes is short stuttered, comprising deciduous and evergreen trees with diverse shrub growth. In the north, stand Pines and groves of Oak. The fauna is mainly Indo himalayan, with some overlapping of Palacaretic species. The birds found here are residents as well as winter migrants from higher altitudes of the North, spring ans summer visitor for breeding, and short day transit species arrive in spring.

Margallah Hills Society

Margallah Hills Society established in 1989 is a registered non-governmental organization with its Head Office in Islamabad, Pakistan. It is managed by an elected executive conuncil. Objectives: To preserve the natural environment of Margallah Hills National Park and prevent shrinkage of the green areas. To promote public interest in conservation, development and management of forests, wildlife and other natural resources of Margallah Hills National Park. To disseminate information about the Marghallah Hills National park including its histor, geography, flora, fauna culture and its benefits to the ciizens of Islamabad.

Regular Activities: Plantation Drive: The Society has been regularly arranging Spring and Monsoon Trees Plantations around National Park and Faisal Mosque. So far the Society has planted twenty thousand (20000) saplings of Pine, Kachnar, Battle Brush and many others in different areas of National park and Faisal Mosque. Our emphasis has been more on the rehabilitation and consolidation of the existing plantations projects. Small areas are taken up for specific objectives like plantation of fruit trees for the wild life. Cultural Activities: The Society took part in Meena Bazaars of APWA and Behbood Associations. Printed material regarding activities and functions of Society was distributed among the visitors. The Capital Police organized a Police gala at Fatima Jinnah Park. Our participation was very much appreciated. The Society won a cup awarded by the National Horticultural Society of Pakistan for the excellent work done by it for the protection and preservation of the National Park. Lectures & Presentation at Different Colleges: The President of the Society visited some colleges (both boys and girls) to educate the youth about environmental issues and the problems facing the park e.g. quarrying, felling of trees, hunting, unauthorized habitation and making the Margallah Hills greener and free from environmental degradation. Students were invited to participate in recreational and development projects and tree planting activities. Walk: The Society has been regularly arranging Short as well as Long Walks in the National Park for its members and their guests. Large numbers of people have participated in these Walks. Long Walks starts from Pirsohawa. The first stop is Makhnial Forest Rest House where village breakfast is served. The walk then continues to Bhirlian. After about five hours the participants reach Khanpur Dam Rest House where lunch is served. The media espacially TV gives wide coverage to the long walk. Achievements: Margallah Hills Fires: During the period May/June 2002 fire has devastated hundreds of acres of woodland in at least six places in Margallah Hills National Park. The CDA fire control staff, with the help of army choppers, controlled these fries. The sight of Margallah Hills on fire continues to arouse criticism among the people of Islamabad andattracts adverse press criticim. At our request the World Bank assigned Mr. Fred A. Fuchs of the US Forest Service, with the task of preparing a report on fire prevention and protection in the Margallah National Hills Park. His recommendations are under consideration of the Government and CDA. As reported by CDA, 18 Fire Detection Pickets have been set up in the Park. Trained personnel, equipped with fire fighting tools and handhold radios, man these. The cabinet Division (Disaster, Cell) had agreed to put one of their helicopters at the CDA's disposal for fire fighting in Margallah Hills during the fire season (April/June) as and when requested. The crew have been specially trained and the helicopter equipped to carry water from Khanpur Dam to the site of the fire. The only unresolved issue now is who will pay the operation cost? This is the subject between CDA and the Cabinet Division. We are trying to help resolve the issue. It was also brought to the notice of the President at a meeting of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Council. Water Tanks: The Society has constructed one more water tank with a revised design to provide drinking water to wild life at Daman-e-Koh. The Society has so far constructed 18 water tanks including nine steel tanks at different points. Quarrying: The Society plays a constructive role in raising public awareness of threats to the Park such as quarrying, unauthorized construction and other activities that impair or endanger the landscape, wild life or flora and fauna of the National Park. Quarrying has been stopped throughout the National Park. The Society has taken up different issues with CDA and has been forcefully advocating a more aggressive and effective policy for controlling illegal cutting of trees in Margallah Hills. Dara Jangla: The ISI have agreed to move out of Dara Jangla when they are given possession of alternative land by the CDA. The President is trying to hasten this process and is going to request ISI, to throw the valley open to members for trekking/hiking.

Memberships: Any person (including children above 12 years) is eligible to become member of the Society in any of the following categories on payment of the perscribed fees: - Life Member - Regular Member - Student Member Funding: - Fees, subscriptions, donations and dues paid by its members. - Donations, contributions and grants from the Government and other National & International sources. - Earnings of the Society. The office of the Margallah Hills Society is located at C.D.A. Old Floral shop Super Market, F-6, Islamabad, Telephone: 9205083