According to the Minister of Climate Change Zartaj Gul, The federal government has decided to shut down Monal restaurant, situated in Margalla hills of Islamabad.

“According to the environmental laws, construction and business activities in forests and national parks are prohibited. The government will not only oppose construction but will also demolish the existing infrastructure to restore their biodiversity,” says Zartaj Gul.

She lamented that businesses in national parks are earning in millions but aren’t directing enough funds under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agreement for the preservation and restoration.

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Businesses operating in the national parks try to expand illegally whenever they find an opportunity to do so. For instance, earlier in May, Islamabad’s District Administration sealed the Monal restaurant after its management started chopping down trees surrounding in an attempt to expand secretly.

Gul said that “the Federal government has focused on preserving the 15 national parks across Pakistan along with completing the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami project to increase the forest cover in Pakistan.”

She added that Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) government’s 10 Billion Tree Tsunami project has received global recognition.

So far, 322.4 million trees have been planted under the project that has helped in increasing Pakistan’s total forest cover from 4% to 6% in the last 2 years.