Islamabad: Since January 1, 2022, the first-ever Common Asian Leopard Preservation Zone in Islamabad has been providing a safe habitat for the critically endangered Asian Leopards of Islamabads Margalla Hills National Park.
The 10-15 km radius is located in Trail-6’s Kalinjar, just behind Faisal Mosque. It is fenced off and protected from the public. The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board, (IWMB), permits only a few tourists to guide the tour.
Only guided tours allowed
This is done to protect wild animals and maintain a healthy ecosystem, said Rina Said Khan, Chairperson, IWMB, Sunday during a guided Tour of Trail-6. She said that we will do all we can to ensure these animals live in a natural environment and are not disturbed.
A number of local, French, and German tourists were among the visiting delegation.
We have made the Trail-6 illegal for the general public because leopards are shy animals.
She is being pressured by different circles to allow family picnics, fun tours, and picnics on the trail. However she has been resisting this pressure with the support of the Ministry of Climate Change.
She was also helped by the fact that Imran Khan, Prime Minister, declared the trail a leopard protected zone.
Registration is required prior to visiting
Visitors who wish to visit the site must register at least one day in advance. The IWMB asks visitors to contribute a minimum of Dh21 or Pak Rs1,000 per person to enable camera traps, scientific gadgets and equipment to be purchased along the trail.
Camera traps have been placed at various points to track the movement of leopards and monitor their health and well-being, especially in areas where they are often seen. Each day, wildlife guards share updates about the movements of these elusive animals and their previous night’s movements.
38 species are at home
Khan said that two male leopards, Shehzada and Sultan, are currently living in the preserved area. One female, Shehzadi was also spotted.
Trail-6 is home not only to Asian leopards, but also 38 other species, including rhesus monkeys barking deer, foxes and snakes.
The preservation zone is actually like a buffet where leopards can enjoy a variety animals for dinner. It is not located in close proximity to any villages or populated areas, unlike other trails.
Territorial animals that are strict
They are territorial animals that mark their territory by digging or spraying. Only during mating season can female leopards allow male leopards to visit. Rina Saeed Khan of the IWMB stated that around 20 camera traps have been installed in the entire 17,000-hectare National Park. She also said that at most seven leopards have been captured by cameras, and that there may be more.
WWF Pakistan has also installed a live camera trap equipped with a solar panel. This allows for uninterrupted power supply to monitor the leopards’ movements. She also said that two leopard cats were released into the zone earlier in the month.
