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268 was felt for integration of biodiversity conservation with tourism development
in order to preserve the environment and to provide an impetus for the economy.
There were also concerns over the inability of the Capital Development
Authority (CDA) to protect the federal capital’s Margalla Hills National Park,
and also stop the cutting of trees in the park for use as fuel. The CDA also
came under fire in the beginning of the year when it was accused of cutting
costs by burning grass instead of using lawn mowers. Later in the year,
environmentalists welcomed the decision of CDA to shelve the Margalla Tunnel
project intended to link Islamabad and Haripur. It was stated that the project
was going to permanently damage the natural beauty of Margalla Hills, which
was already under threat from encroachment. In order to protect the hills,
village committees in the vicinity also suggested that CDA control forest fires
in the hills so that their rich biodiversity and wildlife could be protected.
Environment
Wildlife
Widespread illegal hunting of endangered migratory birds such as bustards
and Siberian cranes was witnessed in the year under review. These two species
of birds were hunted despite the fact that they were listed in the Convention
on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora as
endangered species. Moreover, increased pollution in Nurrari and Jubho lagoons
of Sindh (which are considered to be Ramsar sites and major staging grounds
for migratory birds) led to the drop in bird population in the area from 100,000
in 2009 to 20,000 in 2012. In Sukkur, discharge of chemicals in the lake by
fishermen was held as the main cause behind the death of a blind dolphin in
January.
The Sindh Wildlife Department (SWD) reported that while birds such as
Wildlife seemed to be safe only in captivity.