Abdul Khaliq Qureshi Abbottabad
Wild life department has asked Galliyat Development Authority (GDA) to reveres the agreement made with M/s Monal Group/ A- Cube private limited for installation of Chair Lift at Ayubia, claiming that 60 kenal land of Ayubia National Park has been included in the project.
“ The lease company has started bifurcation allotted land owned by this department which is not only violation of Khyber Pakhtunkwa wild life and biodiversity act 2015 section 29 & 36 but also violation of Khyber Pakhtunkwa Forest ordinance 2002 section 36 “, Wild life official stated.
On the other hand, Galliyat Development Authority (GDA) claimed that they have been installing Chair lift on106 Kenal land where old Chair lift was working since 1963.
This whole land belongs to GDA and we have all the documentary proves, Director General GDA informed.
Similarly Wild Life department as well as civil society were making hue & cry that GDA fails to held Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) whereas GDA claimed that they have had EIA and will share with Media soon.
In a letter addressed to Director General GDA dated 26.08.2021, Divisional Forest Officer Wild life Division Abbottabad stated that sub divisional Forest Officer Ayubia National Park has reported that GDA has leased out an area of 110 kanal land to M/s Monal group for forty years.
Out of which, he claimed that more than 60 kanal land falling under the jurisdiction of Ayubia National Park in compartments namely Darwaza,Kao and Bagan were leased out which is highly undesirable and against the rules of business.
DFO further stated that National Park is an area which aim to declare with a view to protection and preservation of flora, fauna and biological diversity in the natural state.
“The bifurcation of core zone of national park will cause fragmentation of habitat of indigenous fauna resulting species habitat shrinkages which may lead to human wild life conflict in Galliyat, since the park support 33 mammals, 200 plus birds and reptiles”.
Similarly, high rise building as proposed in master plan will not only impair very objectives of the national park but will also cause negative environmental impacts.
Moreover, EIA of the subject construction is pre requisite to be made prior to interventions which is also mandatory under national and international laws, he further remarked with the direction that the company may be directed not to start any intervention in term of bifurcation of park compartments through any means otherwise this office will be compelled to proceed against the company under prevailing laws, letter concluded.
