Legal proceedings initiated against TMA officials for unauthorized dismantling of infrastructure at Shimla Hill Wildlife Complex in Abbottabad, drawing criticism from civil society.
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Department has launched legal action against Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) officials, including senior officer Abid Khan, over alleged unauthorised vandalism and dismantling of the Shimla Hill Wildlife Complex recreational facility. According to official sources, TMA officials carried out a demolition operation under the pretense of an anti-encroachment drive, damaging several structures developed by the Wildlife Department for public recreation and conservation.
The Wildlife Department has registered proceedings against these officials under relevant provisions of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife and Biodiversity Act, 2015. The court of Civil Judge-VI Abbottabad has also issued arrest warrants against TMA officials in connection with the incident. This action has drawn strong criticism from civil society, residents of Abbottabad, and environmental activists who view the demolition as an attack on one of the city's few remaining green recreational spaces.
The initiatives undertaken by the Wildlife Department at Shimla Hill had received widespread appreciation for promoting eco-tourism, wildlife awareness, and family recreation. Following the incident, Abbottabad Deputy Commissioner intervened immediately, directing TMA Abbottabad to return all dismantled material to the Wildlife Department and ensure reinstallation of the removed infrastructure.
It is pertinent to note that the Peshawar High Court Abbottabad Bench had earlier ruled that Shimla Hill should be managed as a protected area. Under this judgment, the authority to manage protected areas rests solely with the Wildlife Department under the provisions of the K-P Wildlife and Biodiversity Act, 2015, and the Rules of Business, 1985.
Environmental circles are concerned about increasing commercial activities and unchecked development at Shimla Hill, which could compromise the ecological and scenic beauty of what is considered the last major green belt within Abbottabad city. The legal action against TMA officials underscores the importance of protecting these vital recreational spaces for future generations.
