ISLAMABAD: Environmental concerns over development at the Margalla foothills have intensified as WWF Pakistan has warned that proposed and ongoing projects in the sensitive zone could cause irreversible ecological damage and threaten the capital’s natural balance.

The warning follows the government’s plan to develop a 1000 kanal park near Sector D 12 along with allied infrastructure linked to a proposed cricket stadium and Olympic Village. WWF Pakistan has called for an immediate suspension of all such activities until a transparent environmental review is conducted.

In a strongly worded statement, the conservation body said the Margalla Hills National Park and surrounding habitats serve as a vital ecological shield for Islamabad, supporting wildlife, regulating micro climate and protecting groundwater systems. It warned that unchecked development could fragment habitats and disrupt critical wildlife corridors.

WWF cited field assessments showing large scale vegetation clearance and infrastructure expansion in foothill areas, including along key road corridors, have already caused measurable ecological degradation. The organisation expressed concern that development plans appear to extend far beyond a public park and include broader commercial and construction ambitions.

The group also questioned the lack of publicly disclosed environmental impact assessments, limited stakeholder consultation and absence of clear ecological restoration strategies. It urged authorities to establish no go zones in critical habitats and subject all proposed projects to independent environmental scrutiny before approvals.

The debate has sharpened as the Capital Development Authority pushes ahead with plans in Zone III, where zoning restrictions already fuel controversy. With environmentalists warning of long term risks and pressure mounting for sustainable planning, the Margalla foothills have emerged as a flashpoint in Islamabad’s growing battle between development and conservation.