Margalla Hills

Margalla Hills

Daman-e-Koh Park at Margalla Hills, Islamabad

The Margalla Hills—also called Margalla Mountain Range are the foothills of the Himalayas— a series of small-elevation hills located north of Islamabad. Margalla Range has an area of 12,605 hectares.

The hill range nestles between an elevation of 685 meters at the western end and 1,604 meters on its east with average height of 1000 meters. Its highest peak is Tilla Charouni.

On 6th January 2012, after almost six years, Pir Sohawa, the city’s highest tourist spot, received few inches of snowfall.

Etymology

Two different legends describe the origin of the word 'Margalla'. According to the first legend, these hills have always been known as an abode of snakes. Mar means 'snake' in Persian, Pashto and galla means 'herd', therefore Margalla means a place with a lot of snakes.

According to the second legend, the word 'Margalla' was derived from Mar Galla, meaning 'to strangulate'.^{[citation needed]} Mar means 'hit' and Galla means 'neck'. It is believed that there were lots of bandits and robbers who used these hills as a sanctuary and would strangle travelers in order to rob them.^{[citation needed]}

Paleontology and archeology

The hills' rock formations are 40 million years old, and fossils of marine life abound, indicating that the Margalla Hills were at one time under the sea.

According to the research carried out by scientists and archaeologists of the project "Post-Earthquake Explorations of Human Remains in Margalla Hills”, the formation of the Margalla Hills dates to the Miocene epoch. The dominant limestone of the Margalla is mixed with sandstone and occasional minor beds of shale. The archaeologists of the project have also found two human footprints over one million years old here, preserved in sandstone.

Flora and fauna

Blue region on the Islamabad map denotes the Margalla Hills region.

The vegetation of the southern slopes is comprising deciduous and evergreen trees with most of flowering trees like Bauhinia variegata, Ficus carica, and trees like Pinus roxburghii , Quercus leucotrichophora. In the north stand pines, Eucalyptus, Peepal trees (Ficus religiosa), Paper Mulberry and groves of oak.

The Margalla Hills are home to various species of wildlife, including monkeys, exotic birds and carnivores such as the rare and presently endangered Margalla leopard.

Commonly found animals in the Margallas include Rhesus monkeys, jackals (often heard cackling at night near the hills), wild boars, porcupines, mongoose and the pangolin or scaly anteater. The wild boar in particular can be seen at some of the least expected places in the city. While they generally stay close to the hills, occasionally (particularly in winter when the hills are cold and it snows on the peaks of margalla hills) they can be seen quite far from the Margallas. Often the boars will have small hideouts in the green belts in and around the city. The increasing practice of throwing litter near the hills also attracts both monkeys and wild boar to come and forage through the rubbish. The wild boars can be quite large, very solidly built and usually travel in large groups.

Less common are Margalla leopards, which usually remain high up in the hills. Even more rare are the elusive snow leopards. These beautiful animals confine themselves to the highest ridges of the range. Wild life of Margalla Hills

There is another group of animals that deserves mention: the snakes of Margalla Hills. There are a number of species of poisonous snakes in the area, including cobras, Russell's Vipers and kraits—known in local parlance as the half-minute killer. The snakes hibernate in the winter months; but tread carefully in the hotter months and particularly the monsoon months, when snakes abound. While they are to be found mainly in and around the hills, occasionally an overgrown garden can prove the ideal home.

Birds in the park include Himalayan griffon vulture, laggar falcon, peregrine falcon, kestrel, Indian sparrow hawk, Egyptian vulture, white cheeked bulbul, yellow vented bulbul, paradise flycatcher, black partridge, cheer pheasant, Khalij pheasant, golden oriole, spotted dove, collared dove, larks, shrikes, wheatears and buntings.

Activities

Setting Sun at Margalla Hills

Bird watching

The Margallas are an excellent place for bird watchers. The area is home to a large number of birds, including robins, sparrows, kites, crows, larks, paradise flycatchers, black partridge, shrikes, pheasants, spotted doves, Egyptian vultures, falcons, hawks, eagles, Himalayan Griffon vulture, Laggar falcon, Peregrine falcon, Kestrel, Indian sparrow hawk, White cheeked bulbul, yellow vented bulbul, Paradise flycatcher, Cheer pheasant, Khalij pheasant, Golden oriole, Spotted dove, Collared dove, Wheatears and buntings. [1]

The cheer pheasant, indigenous to the North West Frontier Province, is being reared in Margalla Hills as a part of conservation campaign.

Hiking and trekking

The Margallas are excellent for hiking and cater for both the regular serious hikers and the less serious occasional enthusiasts.

For foreigners, it is advisable to go for hiking in a group, because a few incidents of mugging have been reported in the last few years. The safest and most frequented hike path is from the Zoo park to Daman-e-Koh. The best season for hiking is from February to April, when there is less rain and the weather is extremely pleasant.

Asian Study Group is a community service organization and conducts hikes in Margalla Hills. For more information check out the Asia Study Group (ASG) publication "Hiking Guide: In and Around Islamabad" (1992, Revised Edition).

Rock climbing

There are many spots for rock climbing in Margalla Hills. Popular locations include the steep rocky slopes located at Pir Sohawa, Music Lounge, Jasmine Corner, Saidpur, Beetle’s Nest, Legacy and Shahdra.

Climbing Pitches	Number of Pitches	Difficulty Level	Average Height
Jasmine Corner (Margalla Hills)	3	Beginners	30 Feet
Musical Lounge (Margalla Hills)	3	Junior Members	45 Feet
Saidpur Village (Margalla Hills)	3	Experienced Members	30, 50 and 250 Feet
Shahdra Village	3	Junior and Experienced Members	43, 50 and 60 Feet

The sport is becoming increasingly popular among the youth of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

For more information; A Guide to Climbing in Margalla.

Paragliding and Hang gliding

Facilities for Paragliding and Hang gliding are provided by private clubs based in Islamabad.

For more information: The Ultimate Adventure Club Ltd

Environmental Conservation

The ecology of Margallas faces threats from quarrying by 'crush plants', deforestation, illegal encroachments and buildings, and poachers. Crush plants situated around the hills near Taxila are busy eroding the hills for extracting building material. Deforestation is resulting from fires and illegal felling of trees.

Himalayan Wildlife Foundation

Himalayan Wildlife Foundation is running a project on a sustainable management strategy for the Margalla Hills National Park.

Margalla Hills Society

Margalla Hills Society established in 1989, with objective to preserve the natural environment of Margalla Hills National Park and prevent shrinkage of the green areas; to promote public interest in conservation, development and management of forests, wildlife and other natural resources of Margalla Hills National Park, and to disseminate information about the Park, including its history, geography, flora, fauna, culture, and its benefits to the citizens of Islamabad.

Events

• On 28 July 2010, Airblue Flight 202 crashed in the Margalla Hills.

• On 6 January 2012, snowfall over Margallas Hills.

Popular Places

Temple at Saidpur Village

• Daman-e-Koh
• Pir Sohawa
• Gokeena
• Mount Happiness
• Loh-i-Dandi
• Nicholson's Obelisk
• Shah Allah Ditta
• Islamabad Marghazar Zoo
• Japanese Park
• Saidpur, Islamabad

See also

• Margalla Hills National Park
• Birds of Islamabad
• Airblue Flight 202
• Faisal Mosque

External links

• Pir Sowaha to Charouni Trek
• A Trip to Shahdra
• Pir Sohawa to Lohi Dandi
• A Trip to Shah Allah Ditta Village
• Highest peak on Margalla Hills
• Islamabad Monal in Pir Sohawa margalla Hills
• UrbanPK
• Himalayan Wildlife Foundation
• Islamabad Bird Report-2002, by Anssi Kullberg
• Margalla Hills Society
• TripAdvisor
• Khayaban-e-Margalla
• Margalla Railway Station
• Best Spot on Margalla Hills
• Escapade in the Margalla Hills
• Escapade to Saidpur
• Tourism in the Margalla Hills - Part I
• Tourism in the Margalla Hills - Part II