margalla hils national park
TRANSCRIPT
Margalla Hills National Park
By: Hassan Ali UOS Sub Campus Bhakkar
Geographical Location: 33°43′52″N 72°56′13″EPhysical Location: North east of the national capital Islamabad in the province of Punjab
Total area: 17,426 hectares Date Established: 1980 Best time to Visit : through out the year
Explanation
Margalla Hills National Park is located in the foothills of the Himalayan range.
The topography is with numerous valleys and many precipitous slopes.
The area is drained by the River Kurang its tributaries , which flow into the River soan
This park is most accessible park in Pakistan due to its close proximity to the national Capital, Islamabad
A visitor center is planned for Daman –e – Koh is providing lounge accommodation and an Information service.
Lodges, camping grounds and picnic sites are also planned and the provision of chair lift may be considered.
Wildlife
Margalla Hills is an extension of Islamabad wildlife sanctuary, which include the Shakar Parian Hills and Rawal Lake.
The park was setup to provide refugee to the Gray Goral, Barking deer and the Leopard, Protection to these animals has benefitted to unusual and interesting smaller animal as well.
Margalla Hills Park provides an excellent opportunity for bird watching,
A cheer pheasant hatchery has been established at Chak Jabri and Dhok jewan to raise captive cheer pheasants that have become extinct in the Hills. These are then released in the world.
The mammals in the park Include: Red fox vulpes vulpes
Pengolin (Pholidota)
Percupine (Erethizon dorsatum )
Fruit Bat (Chiroptera)
Wild Boar (Sus scrofa)
Rhesus macaque(Macacamulatta)
Golden Jackal (Canis aureus)
Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis)
Barking deer(Muntiacus)
Yellow throated marten (Martes flavigula)
Gray goral Sheep(Naemorhedus goral)
Reptiles:Indian Cobra(Naja naja)
Saw scaled viper (Echis carinatus)
Russelli,s Viper (Daboia)
Birds
Birds in Park include:
Kestrel
Yellow vented bulbul (pycnonotus gpiavier)
Lagger Falcon (falco jugger)
White cheeked bulbul
Peregrine Falcon Falcoperegrinus
Lark (Alaudidae)
Shrike Laniidae
Wheatear Oenanthe
Bunting (Emberizacitrinella
Collar DoveStreptopelia decaocto
Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus
Khalij pheasantLophura leucomelanos
Cheer Pheasent Catreus wallichii
Black Partridge