Islamabad - The workers of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), a party which has lion as its electoral symbol, were chanting their favourite slogan ‘Shair Aaya Shair Aaya’ (lion came, lion came) on Sunday welcoming Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to the markets of the federal capital, while on the other hand the Capital Development Administration was warning the residents to be aware of a tigress.
The capital authorities issued notification to keep the locals aware against the fatal attack of the angry tigress of Margalla Hills.
The step was taken after receiving a number of complaints from the villagers of Margalla Hills (National Park area) about the presence of a tigress.
A senior official of the CDA told The Nation that during this week a tigress hunted six goats in Klinger village, while an employee of the Punjab House narrowly escaped a sudden encounter while he was on his way to his village Gokina.
Member Environment CDA, Mustafin Kazmi said that a special team of the environment directorate has visited Margalla Hills and a meeting would also be convened today (Monday) to devise a strategy to ensure human security. He said that Margalla Hills National Park is habitat of wild tigers and their presence is registered. These wild animals seldom harm anyone, he said in reply to a question. Kazmi said, “The protection of humans is priority and we will enhance presence of environment staff there to ensure their safety.”
A number of villages are located in the National Park area where, otherwise, construction and development are not allowed as per CDA bylaws.
The villagers will be provided basic instructions regarding their protection in case such dangerous animals attack them. They are also asked to keep their animals in limited and less dangerous zone.
The visitors and those who prefer jogging in the Margallah area would also be asked to adopt precautionary measures. The CDA official also said that visitors and elite of the capital city also prefer to visit the hilly areas. The area of villages Sangra, Malwal, Murad Gali, Gokina, Gokina Khurd and Klinger are declared as dangerous zones. The residents of these areas are advised to seek assistance of watch teams deputed by CDA in their routine movement. The CDA teams would also provide first aid in case of any unwanted eventuality.
Huma Fatima, Director Wild Life Department, said that she has received the complaint of employee of Punjab House and also made a follow-up visit. She said during these days, the tigress has become dangerous as she gave birth to three babies recently and this is the first time when tigress made an attempt to attack a man, perhaps for the protection of her babies.
Meer Daad, a vendor at Track 5 who is famous for his Gurr tea, said that a number of locals confronted with such situation but the employee of the Punjab House made hue and cries due to which the tigress chased him.
In the recent past, the capital administration launched several drives against wild boar to protect the residents form their attacks. These wild boars sometimes enter the urban areas from the nearby hills and also injured the pedestrians.