Islamabad: The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) has sought clarification from the Capital Development Authority (CDA) regarding the proposed cricket stadium near sector D-12, Islamabad. The board requested the exact location and layout plan to determine whether the project site falls within or near the Margalla Hills National Park or its 100-meter buffer zone.
Under the Islamabad Nature Conservation and Wildlife Management Act, 2024, no development is allowed within buffer zones without a no-objection certificate from the IWMB. The board emphasized that the clarification is necessary to ensure compliance with environmental, wildlife protection, and land-use regulations.
CDA officials maintained that the D-12 site lies in Zone III, where recreational projects like cricket stadiums are permitted. The authority also noted that the stadium will have a seating capacity of around 32,000, with parking facilities located one kilometre away.
The proposed stadium is part of an Olympic Village project, and the Capital Development Authority, in collaboration with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), aims to model it after Dubai’s cricket stadium. The PC-1 for the project, initially estimated at Rs12 billion, has been revised to Rs8 billion following design adjustments.
IWMB has not objected to the stadium but awaits the requested information before completing its review.
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