Islamabad, Feb 10: The government’s decision to dissolve the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) and replace its independent members with bureaucrats has sparked controversy, especially among environmentalists and former officials. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination issued a notification on Friday announcing the formation of a new board, which will consist of senior government officials instead of independent environmental experts.
The new board will include members such as the ministry’s secretary, joint secretary for administration and development, the environment member of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), a high-ranking officer nominated by Islamabad’s mayor, and the deputy commissioner of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). Aisha Humera Chaudhry, an additional secretary at the ministry, has been appointed as the interim chairperson until the board’s final structure is decided.
READ MORE: National Horse and Cattle Show Returns After 35 Years
The decision has drawn sharp criticism, particularly from Rina Saeed Khan, the former IWMB chairperson. Khan described the move as a violation of a Supreme Court ruling, which had mandated the board’s independence from government control. She expressed concern over the potential for bureaucratic influence, calling the change “regulatory capture.”
The IWMB had recently been in the spotlight due to its role in enforcing a Supreme Court order to demolish Monal Restaurant in Margalla Hills National Park for violating conservation laws. Additionally, the board had been instructed to halt all rehabilitation activities in Margalla Hills, as per a Sunday order mentioned by Khan.
This reshuffle raises questions about the independence of institutions meant to oversee wildlife management and conservation efforts, with critics fearing the government’s move could undermine the protection of Islamabad’s natural heritage.
