ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has stopped an alleged attempt to encroach on approximately 16 kanals of national park land in Bhara Khau, taking action against a boundary wall that was being constructed on the protected state land.

The action was carried out by the CDA’s Environment Wing in Forest 8, Bhara Khau, after the construction of the boundary wall continued for several days.

According to CDA officials, the land is located adjacent to Murree Road and is estimated to be worth more than Rs 1 billion based on the value of commercial land in the Bhara Khau area.

The CDA team demolished the under-construction wall and removed the fresh encroachment from the site. The authority has also suspended two officials, a forest guard and a gardener associated with the reserve forest, while an inquiry has been ordered to determine the role of the officials concerned.

CDA Direct general enviroment irfan niazi said the authority would determine the responsibility of each official during the inquiry and take further action where necessary. The CDA also plans to register a first information report (FIR) against the alleged encroachers.

The latest incident follows a similar case reported in the same area in January 2026, when private developers allegedly cut trees and levelled more the 10kanals for forest land to construct a road. The CDA stopped the activity, confiscated machinery, and imposed a Rs 7 million fine for cutting around 40 trees and more than 100 shrubs. The developers had claimed that the land belonged to them.

CDA officials said the environment wing maintains records identifying forest and national park boundaries, including historical record sheets from 1902 and 1935. Officials also noted that cadastral maps and satellite imagery can be used to help identify the boundaries of private and forest land.

The CDA has reiterated its position that protected forest and national park land cannot be occupied or developed without lawful authorization.