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THE debate over the future of the Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP) has become a proxy battle between conservation and development. On one side are those who argue that all commercial activity must be eliminated from the park. On the other are those who see the park as a public asset that should accommodate recreation, tourism and economic activity. The reality, however, lies somewhere in between.
The question is not whether the Margalla Hills should be protected but whether protection requires a blanket prohibition on all recreational and commercial facilities, or whether it can be managed through a carefully regulated model to achieve both ecological conservation and economic value.
Around the world, the most successful national parks have demonstrated that conservation and recreation are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they are often interdependent. Revenue generated from tourism and visitor services frequently funds conservation, supports local livelihoods and builds public constituencies for environmental protection.
The US offers some of the best examples. Yosemite National Park, one of the world’s most celebrated protected areas, contains hotels, lodges, restaurants and visitor facilities operating within the park. Yet Yosemite remains a global model of conservation because human activity is confined to designated zones and managed under strict environmental regulations.
