ISLAMABAD - There is no better way to get your exercise and spend leisure time than to take a hiking trip. And if one finds an even and easy-to-climb trail rather bumpy or steep sloped, it will definitely multiply the pleasure.
There is good news for wildlife enthusiasts and bird watchers, who will find ample room to roam in Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP), as a new biking-cum-hiking trail within the MHNP area has been inaugurated.
The hiking trail is named as Trail-VI, commencing at the north of Faisal Mosque and stretching westward as far as the hilltop in Chak Jabbi passing through Kavani Valley, a distance of about four kilometres.
For inexperienced hikers, the Trail-VI will be the best to hike owing to its exclusive features including dedicated track for biking, smooth and regular slope for senior citizens, in short bring the whole family including children and parents and hike for both, exercise and enjoyment.
“Trail-VI passes through a variety of ecosystems with wild birds viewing opportunities for the hikers,” CDA Spokesperson Ramzan Sajid said. Margalla Hills National Park has a network of hiking trails, including Trail-I, Trail-II, Trail-III, Trail-IV, Trail V and now Trail-VI that pass through a variety of ecosystems.
Above all CDA paid nothing for the project, as the facility has been developed by civic body’s private partners Premier Oil and Himalayan Wildlife Foundation.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira, inaugurated trail-VI in a colourful ceremony held here on Friday.
“It is the first out of six existing trails where the feature of a dedicated tracks for bicycle riders and elderly citizens have been added parallel to hiking track, while bird watching facility at start of the trail is an added beauty, Chairman CDA Syed Tahir Bokhari said.
He said Trail-VI would facilitate the children, young and senior citizens alike. He said special sit-out areas have also been established on the track.
The chairman CDA did not miss the opportunity to advise bikers to adopt all-out safety measure before hiking the trail on bicycle. He said an information centre had also been set up where the visitors would get information regarding the trail as well as the flora and fauna of the Margalla Hills.
Bokhari said trail-VI neighbours a bird watching point, adding CDA would upgrade other trails by providing the facilities for hikers as private partners were ready to extend their cooperation. Addressing the ceremony, the Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira said that Islamabad was the model city of the country. He said that CDA must take concrete measures for making Islamabad the model capital of the world.
Qamar Zaman Kaira lauded the CDA for establishing the facility without spending any money from CDA’s kitty. He lauded the Chairman CDA and his team members for promotion and protection of capital’s environmental beauty and provision of recreational facilities.