CDA Reviews Preparedness to Prevent Fire Incidents on Margalla Hills

Date: Mar 06, 2026

ISLAMABAD: 5th March, 2026: A meeting was held on Thursday at CDA Headquarters regarding the prevention of fire incidents on the Margalla Hills before the fire season, under the chairmanship of Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa. The meeting was attended by CDA Member Administration, Talat Mehmood, Environmental Expert Rizwan Mehboob officers from Islamabad Wildlife Management Board, Ministry of Climate Change and other relevant departments. The meeting reviewed the arrangements and preparations made in case of fire incidents on Margalla Hills. Chairman CDA and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, said that the purpose of the meeting is to review the preparations according to SOPs and protocols before the fire season. During the briefing, it was informed that the process of temporarily hiring staff before the fire season will be completed soon. The meeting was informed that along with clearing the existing fire lines, the monitoring process will be further improved. The briefing said that alongside ensuring effective communication, the responsibilities of the relevant staff will be formally assigned and the number of pickets will be increased to further improve the monitoring process. The meeting was further informed that all safety equipment, including fire balls, fire extinguishers and others are available. Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa said that the staff of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board, CDA and district administration will work together as one unit. In this regard, job descriptions for all relevant staff should be prepared. Chairman CDA said that the aim of all these measures is to ensure the beauty, greenery and lushness of the Margalla Hills. He said that necessary training should also be provided to enhance the capacity of the Emergency and Disaster Management staff so that their services can also be utilized when needed. He said that a strategy should be devised to prevent incidents of fire spread by ensuring effective coordination with the administrations of other districts adjacent to the Federal Capital, Islamabad. The meeting also reviewed the ongoing tree plantation campaign in the City. During the briefing, the meeting was informed that trees larger than six feet are being planted during the current tree plantation campaign. The purpose of planting larger trees is to ensure their growth. The meeting was further informed that students from schools, colleges and universities as well as civil society and the corporate sector have also been included in the current tree plantation campaign. It is pertinent to note that all these measures aim to protect the environment of the Federal Capital, Islamabad and make the City even greener and more lush.