Margalla Hills - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

The Margalla Hills—the foothills

Foothills

Foothills are geographically defined as gradual increases in elevation at the base of a mountain range. They are a transition zone between plains and low relief hills to the adjacent topographically high mountains.-Examples:...

of the Himalayas

Himalayas

The Himalaya Range or Himalaya Mountains Sanskrit: Devanagari: हिमालय, literally "abode of snow"), usually called the Himalayas or Himalaya for short, is a mountain range in Asia, separating the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau...

—are a series of small-elevation hills located north of Islamabad

Islamabad

Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan and the tenth largest city in the country. Located within the Islamabad Capital Territory , the population of the city has grown from 100,000 in 1951 to 1.7 million in 2011...

, Pakistan

Pakistan

Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...

. 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.

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

Persian language

Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...

, Pashto

Pashto language

Pashto , known as Afghani in Persian and Pathani in Punjabi , is the native language of the indigenous Pashtun people or Afghan people who are found primarily between an area south of the Amu Darya in Afghanistan and...

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'. 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.

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

Miocene

The Miocene is a geological epoch of the Neogene Period and extends from about . The Miocene was named by Sir Charles Lyell. Its name comes from the Greek words and and means "less recent" because it has 18% fewer modern sea invertebrates than the Pliocene. The Miocene follows the Oligocene...

epoch. The dominant limestone

Limestone

Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....

of the Margalla is mixed with sandstone

Sandstone

Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized minerals or rock grains.Most sandstone is composed of quartz and/or feldspar because these are the most common minerals in the Earth's crust. Like sand, sandstone may be any colour, but the most common colours are tan, brown, yellow,...

and occasional minor beds of shale

Shale

Shale is a fine-grained, clastic sedimentary rock composed of mud that is a mix of flakes of clay minerals and tiny fragments of other minerals, especially quartz and calcite. The ratio of clay to other minerals is variable. Shale is characterized by breaks along thin laminae or parallel layering...

. The archaeologists of the project have also found two human footprints over one million years old here, preserved in sandstone.

Flora and fauna

The vegetation of the southern slopes is short and stunted, comprising deciduous and evergreen trees with diverse shrub growth. In the north stand pines, Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Members of the genus dominate the tree flora of Australia...

, Peepal trees (Ficus religiosa), Paper Mulberry

Paper Mulberry

The Paper Mulberry is a tree in the family Moraceae, native to eastern Asia. Other names include Dak, Halibun, Kalivon, Kozo, and Tapacloth tree.It is a deciduous tree growing to tall...

and groves of oak

Oak

An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...

.

The Margalla Hills are home to various species of wildlife, including monkey

Monkey

A monkey is a primate, either an Old World monkey or a New World monkey. There are about 260 known living species of monkey. Many are arboreal, although there are species that live primarily on the ground, such as baboons. Monkeys are generally considered to be intelligent. Unlike apes, monkeys...

s, exotic birds and carnivore

Carnivore

A carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of animal tissue, whether through predation or scavenging...

s such as the rare and presently endangered Margalla leopard

Leopard

The leopard , Panthera pardus, is a member of the Felidae family and the smallest of the four "big cats" in the genus Panthera, the other three being the tiger, lion, and jaguar. The leopard was once distributed across eastern and southern Asia and Africa, from Siberia to South Africa, but its...

.

Commonly found animals in the Margallas include Rhesus monkeys, jackal

Jackal

Although the word jackal has been historically used to refer to many small- to medium-sized species of the wolf genus of mammals, Canis, today it most properly and commonly refers to three species: the black-backed jackal and the side-striped jackal of sub-Saharan Africa, and the golden jackal of...

s (often heard cackling at night near the hills), wild boar

Boar

Wild boar, also wild pig, is a species of the pig genus Sus, part of the biological family Suidae. The species includes many subspecies. It is the wild ancestor of the domestic pig, an animal with which it freely hybridises...

s, porcupine

Porcupine

Porcupines are rodents with a coat of sharp spines, or quills, that defend or camouflage them from predators. They are indigenous to the Americas, southern Asia, and Africa. Porcupines are the third largest of the rodents, behind the capybara and the beaver. Most porcupines are about long, with...

s, mongoose

Mongoose

Mongoose are a family of 33 living species of small carnivorans from southern Eurasia and mainland Africa. Four additional species from Madagascar in the subfamily Galidiinae, which were previously classified in this family, are also referred to as "mongooses" or "mongoose-like"...

and the pangolin

Pangolin

A pangolin , also scaly anteater or Trenggiling, is a mammal of the order Pholidota. There is only one extant family and one genus of pangolins, comprising eight species. There are also a number of extinct taxa. Pangolins have large keratin scales covering their skin and are the only mammals with...

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) 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 leopard

Snow Leopard

The snow leopard is a moderately large cat native to the mountain ranges of South Asia and Central Asia...

s. These beautiful animals confine themselves to the highest ridges of the range.

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.

Bird watching

The Margallas are an excellent place for bird watchers (see Birds of Islamabad

Birds of Islamabad

-Birds:Here is a list of birds found in Islamabad, Pakistan. 72 species of birds have been found in this area. The best places to watch are Margalla Hills and Rawal Lake.*Little Grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis*Little Cormorant, Phalacrocorax niger...

). 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 and eagles. 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 to 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

Daman-e-Koh

Daman-e-Koh, about 3000ft from sea level and almost 1000ft higher than City of Islamabad, is a viewing point and hill top modern garden, popular among the residents as well as the visitors to this capital town of the nation....

. The best season for hiking is from February to April, when there is less rain and the weather is extremely pleasant.

Asian Study Group (a community service organization) conducts hikes from October to April. Details about hiking trails and further information can be found in the latest edition of the book called Hiking in and around Islamabad, available at select book shops in F-7 Markaz and Kohsar Market, published by Asian Study Group for the Islamabad community.

Rock climbing

There are many spots for rock climbing in Margalla Hills. Popular locations include the steep rocky slopes located at Pir Sohawa

Pir Sohawa

Pir Sohawa is an upland scenic rural location, at an elevation of about 5000 ft, popular for recreational walk and picnics in Islamabad and is located close to Monal village which exists on the slope towards Islamabad city. Actually Pir Sohawa is a village located in district Haripur of Khyber...

, Music Lounge, Jasmine Corner, Old Saidpur

Saidpur

Saidpur is a city of Nilphamari district in Rangpur Division of Bangladesh . The city becomes a very important communication hub for adjoining major district headquarters. Saidpur Airport is one of the domestic airports in Bangladesh. The Saidpur Railway Workshop, established in 1870, is the...

, Beetle’s Nest, Legacy and Shahdara

Shahdara

Shahdara , is an area in Delhi, named so because of being established by Mughal Emperor, Shahjahan, is a part of Delhi region in India, situated at the bank of Yamuna river.It is one of the oldest established regions of Delhi and one of the important part of what is known as Purani Dilli...

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

Rawalpindi

Rawalpindi , locally known as Pindi, is a city in the Pothohar region of Pakistan near Pakistan's capital city of Islamabad, in the province of Punjab. Rawalpindi is the fourth largest city in Pakistan after Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad...

and Islamabad

Islamabad

.
A free topo of most routes can be found here.

Paragliding and hang gliding

Facilities for paragliding are provided by private clubs based in Islamabad.http://www.parapk.net/home.html http://paff.org.pk/contact.htm

Threats to ecology and conservation campaigns

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

Taxila

Taxila is a Tehsil in the Rawalpindi District of Punjab province of Pakistan. It is an important archaeological site.Taxila is situated about northwest of Islamabad Capital Territory and Rawalpindi in Panjab; just off the Grand Trunk Road...

are busy eroding the hills for extracting building material. Deforestation

Deforestation

Deforestation is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a nonforest use. Examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban use....

is resulting from fires and illegal felling of trees.

The Himalayan Wildlife Foundationhttp://www.hwf.org.pk/ is running a project on a 'sustainable management strategy for the Margalla Hills National Park'.

The Margalla Hills Society,http://www.roedadkhan.com/mhs.php established in 1989, is a registered non-governmental organization with its head office in Islamabad

Islamabad

, Pakistan

Pakistan

. It is managed by an elected executive council. Its main objective is 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

Margalla Hills National Park

The Margalla Hills National Park is located in Northern Pakistan at the foothills of the Himalayas and is a National Park. It is approximately 17,386 hectares in size.-Location:...

, and to disseminate information about the Park, including its history, geography, flora, fauna, culture, and its benefits to the citizens of Islamabad

Islamabad

Popular picnic spots

Daman-e-Koh
Daman-e-Koh
Daman-e-Koh, about 3000ft from sea level and almost 1000ft higher than City of Islamabad, is a viewing point and hill top modern garden, popular among the residents as well as the visitors to this capital town of the nation....

- a view point above Islamabad
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan and the tenth largest city in the country. Located within the Islamabad Capital Territory , the population of the city has grown from 100,000 in 1951 to 1.7 million in 2011...
Pir Sohawa
Pir Sohawa
Pir Sohawa is an upland scenic rural location, at an elevation of about 5000 ft, popular for recreational walk and picnics in Islamabad and is located close to Monal village which exists on the slope towards Islamabad city. Actually Pir Sohawa is a village located in district Haripur of Khyber...

- a restaurant place high above the city with a great view
Gokeena
Mount Happiness
Loh-i-Dandi
Nicholson's obelisk
Nicholson's obelisk
Nicholson's obelisk is a monument in Pakistan, erected in 1868 in honour of one of the British Empire's greatest military heroes—Brigadier-General John Nicholson....
Shah Allah Ditta village, Margalla Hills
Islamabad Marghzar zoo
Japanese park for the children
Saidpur
Saidpur
Saidpur is a city of Nilphamari district in Rangpur Division of Bangladesh . The city becomes a very important communication hub for adjoining major district headquarters. Saidpur Airport is one of the domestic airports in Bangladesh. The Saidpur Railway Workshop, established in 1870, is the...

Village. Saidpur is a 4 or 5 hundred years old village nestled in the Margalla hills overlooking Islamabad. Built along the slope of the hills, and gradually creeping upwards, the village presents a picturesque view, particularly in the soft light of morning or afternoon sun. The Capital Development Authority
Capital Development Authority
Capital Development Authority , is a public benefit corporation responsible for providing municipal services in the Islamabad city , established on June 14, 1960, first by an executive order issued on June 24, 1960 entitled the Pakistan Capital Regulation, to be superseded by the CDA ordinance...

(CDA) of Islamabad
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan and the tenth largest city in the country. Located within the Islamabad Capital Territory , the population of the city has grown from 100,000 in 1951 to 1.7 million in 2011...

is developing Saidpur into a tourist attraction, and is spending nearly 400 million rupees on resurrecting the old village and giving it a quaint look with the hope of making it an attractive tourist spot.
Charouni

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.

Etymology

Paleontology and archeology

Flora and fauna

Bird watching

Hiking and trekking

Rock climbing

Paragliding and hang gliding

Threats to ecology and conservation campaigns

Popular picnic spots

See also

External links