Approximately 100 Kanal Land in Ayubia Leased by Monal Group Through GDA

ISLAMABAD – In recent news, almost 100 Kanal worth of land situated in the Ayubia region have been leased by the Monal Group through GDA.

The lease agreement was signed between the KP Forest Department and the GDA on June 21, 2021 stating the activities that are permissible under the lease.

However, the permissible activities specified in the agreement appear to be conflicting with the primary objective of establishing a National Park which is the conservation of natural and wildlife.

Sources suggest that these conflicting situations have raised concerns related the intentions behind the agreement and the negative impacts it could have.

Several critics argue that this lease arrangement violates both international and domestic laws regarding the lease of natural park land for commercial use as there are ulterior motive behind the lease.

According to sources, numerous individuals are pointing to the KP Wildlife Biodiversity Act 2015 sections 35 and 36 that openly prohibits such activities and states the preservation of wildlife.

Moreover, the MoU between the Chief Conservator of Forests and the GDA Director General also raises some concerns regarding irregularities in the agreement.

Sources also suggest that the National Park should have been made part of the decision and should’ve been consulted beforehand as well.

There are also other issues as this might lead to further deforestation in the region posing a threat to the wildlife there.