Rare deer hunted using dogs in Islamabad’s Margalla hills

ISLAMABAD: A rare species of deer was illegally hunted in Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP), with hunting dogs used in the act. The deer, which was a female, had young fawns.

According to sources, at the scene, only the deer’s head and some body parts were found, while the flesh had been consumed by the dogs.

It should be noted that taking dogs into the Margalla Hills National Park is strictly prohibited.

The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) confirmed the incident to HUM News English, stating that efforts were under way to arrest the hunters.

Once an enclave of rich biodiversity and natural beauty, the protected Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP) is now besieged by urbanisation, encroachments and development threats from every flank.

Located on Islamabad’s northern extremities, it has been a great green space for the locals, tourists, and wildlife for decades. Yet the increasing onslaught of urban expansion, illegal encroachments, and unchecked development is threatening the very existence of this national treasure.

Spanning over 17,000 hectares, the park is home to a large number of flora and fauna, including leopards, wild boars, monkeys, and an innumerable number of birds. The beautiful nature walks provide breathtaking views of Islamabad and its mountainous landscapes. But despite its status as a national park, environmentalists and local residents find it alarming that this part of the park is often subjected to rampant encroachments.

Among the most conspicuous issues is the encroachment of park lands for commercialisation and residential encroachments.

Critics maintain that the government has failed to provide a proper regulatory framework to protect the park. Though the park is a designated national reserve, local authorities are struggling to enforce laws protecting the area from encroachments and environmental damage. The introduction of legal loopholes and lack of enforcement funding have aggravated the problem. These loopholes have permitted construction projects to continue with little or no oversight whatsoever.

“There are laws, but implementation is the real concern. The developers find ways to bend the regulations; these authorities either take too long to respond or lack the financial backing to act,” said Faiza Naeem of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board.

The Margalla Hills National Park is much more than just an environmental asset — it is an integral part of Islamabad’s identity. A battle has begun over the very essence of this park: Should the city continue cherishing its green spaces, or yield to the pressures of unrestrained development?