ISLAMABAD(National Times)- The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is considering the auction of 15 sites for recreational facilities at Lake View Park, while its board has given the go-ahead signal for hiring an international consultant for the supervision of the proposed Safari Park Project.
Sources in the environment wing told Dawn that the lease of existing 10 operational sites at Lake View Park had already expired in 2023 while five new sites had been planned for auction. “So, besides auctioning the 10 existing sites, we will add five more,” said an official.
“We will go to auction of our land (104 acres including 10 existing sites and five new) in Lake View Park Phase II to generate revenue,” he said.
Sources said the issue was presented before the CDA board on Saturday and it directed the environment wing to move forward in accordance with the previous board decision on this matter.
“In principle, the board okayed this summary and stated that rules and regulations should be followed to ensure transparency, if required. The board directed that the law wing should also be consulted.”
Civic agency’s board also approves hiring of international consultant for proposed Safari Park near Malpur
In 2007, the CDA in a highly dubious and controversial way auctioned the 10 sites, including some without tenders. In both legal and illegal leases, the CDA fixed very nominal charges of Rs120,000 per acre per annum, meaning those who leased the land only had to pay Rs10,000 per month for each acre of the prime land.
The companies given the leases were also supposed to share 5pc of their profits with the CDA. However, sources said the civic agency had received little or no profit as most companies were showing losses in their businesses.
“We will ensure transparency and all auctions will be carried out in accordance with PAPRA rules through open bidding,” said an officer.
He said that the right of first refusal will be given to existing allottees, whose lease expired, but they are still working till the new lease agreement subject to law wing’s view on admissibility under the rules and regulations.
“In new auction, markets rates will be charged as rent and lease will be granted for 15 years with 10pc increase after every three years, extendable for further term of five years,” he added.
Safari Park
Meanwhile, sources said that the board also took up a summary related to the proposed Safari Park, which will be built near Malpur. The board approved the hiring of an international consultant, who will supervise working of local consultant and will vet design and other components of the project. The international consultant will set enrichment and welfare standards for species, habitats and husbandry. The international consultant will also provide an expert oversight and problem-solving mechanism during construction and habitat development.
The consultant will also carry out independent review and validation of the local consultant’s drawing and design and will provide guidance for operations and management of the Safari Park at international standards.
It is relevant to note that Islamabad had a zoo namely Marghazar Zoo, which was closed on the direction of the Islamabad High Court due to mismanagement and its operations, including its land and infrastructure, were handed over to the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB).
Some years ago, the CDA had showed its intent to revive the zoo by stating that Islamabad High Court in its 2020 decision had not directed that the zoo be closed forever, but ordered that an animal shelter/zoo infrastructure be built as per international zoological and animal husbandry standards.
The CDA had stated that the zoo had previously played a ‘critical role’ in the conservation, preservation and protection of different animal and bird species in the Margalla Hills National Park.
Now the CDA has decided to set up Safari Park, which will provide drive-through safari experience. PC-I of the project is near completion and soon CDA will go for floating tenders, said the sources.
