Saturday 12 January 2013

Hiking trail opened for bikers, bird watchers

Saturday, January 12, 2013 - Islamabad—The Capital Development Authority on Friday inaugurated a hiking trail having exclusive features, including track for mountain bikes, smooth surface for senior citizens and bird watching facility in the surrounding. The facility was inaugurated by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira in a ceremony held at the north of Faisal Masjid, from where the trail starts.

The four-kilometre trail passes through the Kavani Valley and touches Chak Jabbi on the hilltop. This is the sixth trail opened in the Federal Capital. The existing five hiking trails are Trail-I, Trail-II, Trail- III, Trail-IV and Trail-V.

“It is the first track where the mountain bikers have also been provided access. Bird watching facility at the entrance of the trail is an added beauty,” said CDA Chairman Syed Tahir Shahbaz, while addressing the inauguration ceremony.

He said the project cost no penny from the CDA’s kitty as the expenses had been borne by the private partners, including the Premier Oil and the Himalayan Wildlife Foundation.

He said the CDA had only provided its workforce that worked for around two months on the project.

He said that the Trail-6 was unique as its surface was not uneven and bouncy and the visitors, including families and senior citizens, would easily mount to the hills.

He said that the CDA had also established sit-out areas on the track so that the hikers might rest there.

He said the bikers would be asked to adopt safety measures while hiking the trail and the visitors would also be advised to ensure protection of environment and avoid littering.

He said an information centre had also been set up where the visitors would get knowledge regarding the trail as well as the flora and fauna of the Margalla Hills.

Moreover, Tahir Shahbaz said the trail passed beside a bird watching point that would fascinate many as “the activity bring soothing sensation when one sees the beautiful colours of the nature”.He said the CDA would also upgrade other trails by providing the facilities for hikers there as private partners were ready to extend their cooperation.       

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