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Margalla Hills National Park, is located in the
foothills of the Himalayan range. The topography is rugged, with
numerous valleys and many steep and even precipitous slopes. The area is
drained by the River Kurang and its tributaries, which flow into the
River Soan. This park is the most accessible park in Pakistan due to its
close proximity to the national capital, Islamabad. A visitor centre is
planned for Daman-E-Koh, providing lounge accommodation and an
information service. Lodges, camping grounds and picnic sites are also
planned and the provision of a chair lift may be considered.
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Wildlife:
Margalla Hills are unique in Pakistan, being rich in Sinohimalayan
fauna, some species (especially birds) of which are at the western
extremity of their distribution. It is an extention of the Islamabad
wildlife sanctuary, which includes the Shakar Parian Hills and the Rawal
Lake. The park was setup to provide refugee to the Gray Goral, Barking
deer and the Leopard. Protection to these animals have benefitted other
unusual and interesting smaller animal as well. Margalla Hills Park
provides an excellent opportunity for bird watching. A Cheer Pheasant
hatchery has been established at Chak Jabri and Dhok Jewan to raise
captive Cheer pheasants that have become extinct in the hills. These are
then released in the wild.
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Mammals:
Mammals in the park include--Asiatic leopard (T), Wild boar (C), Golden
Jackal (C), Rhesus Macaque (V), Leopard cat (R), Gray Goral sheep (V),
Barking deer (V), Chinkara gazelle (R), Red fox (C), Pangolin (R),
Porcupine (C), Yellow throated marten (R) and Fruit bats (C).
Note: T=Threatened, V=Vulnerable, R=Rare, C=Common, ?=Unknown.
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Birds:
Birds in the park are--Himalayan Griffon vulture, Laggar falcon,
Peregrine falcon, Kestrel, Indian sparrow hawk, Egyptian vulture, White
cheeked bulbul, yellow vented bulbul, Paradise flycatcher, Black
partridge, Cheer pheasant, Khalij pheasant, Golden oriole, Spotted dove,
Collared dove, Larks, Shrikes, Wheatears and buntings.
Reptiles:
Reptiles in the park are--Russell's viper, Indian cobra, Himalayan pit
viper and Saw scaled viper.
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