The Directorate of Enforcement of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has demolished over 7,000 illegal structures in the markets, roads, green belts, and sidewalk tracks in Islamabad during the last year. According to the CDA sources, the CDA also confiscated around 12,137 items from the encroachers and auctioned them off. The authority also recovered fines worth Rs. 4.876 million from the trespassers. The CDA launched as many as 1,363 anti-encroachment operations across the board in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) during the last year. The authority said that it would continue to take action against illegal constructions in the city. The CDA also said that it has taken steps to protect citizens, provide emergency medical assistance, and water facility on hiking tracks in the Margalla Hills National Park. Forest guards are patrolling the trails and hiking tracks 24/7 and are equipped with wireless sets to communicate with the centralized control room in case of any emergency.

 The CDA said that no water pipelines or electricity will be provided in the Margalla Hills National Park to avoid any hazard to wildlife. The demolition of illegal structures and the provision of safety measures in the Margalla Hills National Park are welcome developments. These measures will help to protect the environment and ensure the safety of citizens.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)