| Margalla Hills National Park | |
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IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
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| Location | Northern Pakistan |
| Nearest city | Islamabad |
| Coordinates | [1] |
| Area | 17,386 ha (67.13 sq mi) |
| Established | 1980 |
The Margalla Hills National Park is located in Northern Pakistan at the foothills of the Himalayas and is a National Park. It is approximately 17,386 hectares (67.13 sq mi) in size.
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Instituted in 1980, the Margalla Hills National Park comprises the Margalla Range (12605 hectares) the Rawal Lake, and Shakarparian Sports and Cultural complex. The hill range nestles between an elevation of 685 meters at the western end and 1,604 meters on its east.
The rock formations are 40 million years old, and fossils of marine life abound every where bearing eloquent testimony that the Margallah hills were at one time under the sea.
The vegetation of the southern slopes is short stuttered, comprising deciduous and evergreen trees with diverse shrub growth. In the north, stand Pines and groves of Oak. The fauna is mainly Indo himalayan, with some overlapping of Palacaretic species. The birds found here are residents as well as winter migrants from higher altitudes of the North, spring ans summer visitor for breeding, and short day transit species arrive in spring. [1]
Margalla has a variety of mammals, they include the Leopard, Gray Goral, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Jackal, Red Fox and the Porcupine among others.
It is also home to a large number of birds such as Larks, Paradise Flycatcher, Black partridge, Shrikes Pheasants, Spotted Doves, Egyptian Vultures, Falcons, Hawks and the Eagle.[2]
Reptiles such as the Russell's viper, Indian cobra and Saw-scaled viper are found here.[2]
Himalayan Wildlife Foundation is running a project on a sustainable management strategy for the Margalla Hills National Park.
Margalla Hills Society [3] established in 1989 is a registered non-governmental organization with its Head Office in Islamabad, Pakistan. It is managed by an elected executive council. Its main objective is to preserve the natural environment of Margalla Hills National Park and prevent shrinkage of the green areas; to promote public interest in conservation, development and management of forests, wildlife and other natural resources of Margalla hills National Park and to disseminate information about the Marghalla hills National park including its history, geography, flora, fauna culture and its benefits to the citizens of Islamabad.
The National Park is the most accessible in Pakistan due to its close proximity to the national capital, Islamabad. It is a significant hub for birdlovers throughout the year. There are several hiking trails, with the most famous being Trail 3.
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