Never knew it was this diverse great thread
@RescueRanger
Feel like stealing one
Sir the diversity stretches along the entire belt, what many don't know is that the hills are an eco-system in their own right, in fairness it stretches from the Murree foothills and borders KPK and Talixa, so you can see how as urbanization drives animals from their natural habitat they seek solace in the limited bit of wilderness largely untouched by man.
But if you know what you are looking for and search hard enough, you can find all manner of animals, birds insects and plants you would never associate with Islamabad, for example Cedars were planted as a gift to Pakistan by the Japanese and that is how the cicada population entered Islamabad
.
The bear population was heavily targeted so the last remaining breeding pair were taken into protective custody by the wildlife board, the city still boasts a small leopard population and as for caracal's if you ever travel to the hills at night or visit Damniko on a quiet night you can hear its distinct call:
Wild boars again are a large native population but these poor animals are targeted by farmers, locals and even poachers. There was a time when certain foreigners would pay 10,000 rupees per boar to poachers. The local snakes in Margalla hills are again largely targeted by poachers who capture them for medicine, skins and for entertainment purposes. Islamabad Police has done a really good job arresting poachers, and I would take this time to tip my hat to the Park Rangers who are unsung hero's and help save the lives of so many of the capitals beautiful wildlife:
Python rescued in Islamabad
Orphaned baby black bear rescued from poachers by Park rangers
Pangolin rescued from a poachers trap near Trail 5, Islamabad
Leopard rescued from a group of poachers by Park Rangers
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All images thanks to Mrs. Sheheryar
And if any members are adventurous enough, if you travel past Monal and The Montana up Pir Sohawa road you will eventually come to a the beautiful natual vista of Bruti Top:
If you take the alternative path down to the village and continue further for 20km you will reach the Kotla Waterfalls:
If you want to be really adventerous, there is a brilliant mountain bike trail that will lead you to Muslimabad in KPK from Margalla Hills. You can also use Trail 7 and Trail one respectively to access the following:
Eagles Nest Trail 7 [33.74582793084785, 72.97955330792662]
And ofcourse Shah Allah Ditta caves and Whispering pines too
. Too many attractions and places to explore to mention, you will just have to go and see for yourself
.
