Islamabad plans tourism and water sports at Simly Dam amid environmental concerns
By Tanveer Ahmed :
Authorities in Islamabad are preparing plans to introduce tourism and water sports facilities around Simly Dam, prompting concerns among environmentalists and residents over the future of one of the capital’s last major sources of clean drinking water.
Located around 30 kilometres east of Islamabad in the foothills of the Margalla range, the reservoir was constructed in 1983 and currently supplies nearly 40 per cent of the capital’s water needs. Unlike Rawal Dam, which has long struggled with pollution caused by unchecked contamination in its catchment areas, Simly Dam has remained comparatively protected because of its remote location and limited public access.
However, the federal government and the Capital Development Authority are now moving towards opening the area for recreational and tourism-related activities.
The development gained momentum after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited the reservoir this week and directed officials to prepare plans both for expanding the dam and developing surrounding areas for tourism and water sports.
According to a statement issued by the Interior Ministry, officials briefed the minister on the reservoir’s current capacity and informed him that expansion of the facility could help ensure a more reliable water supply for Islamabad in the coming years.
During the visit, Naqvi also reviewed nearby land and instructed authorities to submit a separate proposal aimed at promoting recreational activities around the lake.
“There are immense opportunities for recreational activities in the area adjacent to Simly Dam,” the minister said, according to the official statement. He added that the initiative could generate employment for local communities while providing residents with “world-class recreational facilities”.
Government officials say boating and picnic activities already take place informally near the reservoir, although there is currently no organised infrastructure, safety framework or management system under the CDA.
The proposed tourism initiative comes shortly after the CDA board approved a plan to hire former chairman Kamran Lashari as a consultant to prepare a citywide tourism and cultural vision for Islamabad. Although a formal notification has not yet been issued, Lashari was recently seen accompanying the interior minister during the Simly Dam visit, indicating his likely involvement in shaping future development proposals for the site.
Lashari previously headed the CDA between 2003 and 2008, a period marked by major infrastructure projects and urban beautification campaigns across Islamabad. His tenure saw the construction and expansion of several roads, underpasses and public facilities, including the Zero Point Interchange, widening of the Islamabad Expressway, development of parks and playgrounds, and installation of public amenities across the city.
At the same time, several projects initiated during his leadership drew criticism and later became the subject of investigations by the Federal Investigation Agency and the National Accountability Bureau.
One of the most controversial projects involved the leasing of land for the One Constitution Avenue development in 2005. The CDA leased a 13.5-acre site for the construction of a luxury hotel project but later faced criticism after handing over possession despite receiving only a fraction of the agreed payment. The matter has resurfaced in recent years after disputes over delays and changes to the original project plan.
Environmentalists and urban planners are now expressing concerns that opening the Simly Dam area to large-scale tourism could place additional pressure on the fragile ecosystem surrounding the reservoir.
Critics point to previous commercial developments in the Margalla Hills during Lashari’s tenure, including restaurants and road expansion projects near Pir Sohawa, which increased traffic and raised environmental concerns. The Supreme Court of Pakistan later intervened to restrict certain commercial activities in the area.
Experts warn that increased tourism near Simly Dam could lead to waste disposal problems, water contamination and ecological degradation if strict environmental safeguards are not introduced before development begins.
The issue has also revived debate over Islamabad’s urban planning priorities, particularly as the city faces growing water shortages and environmental pressures linked to rapid expansion and population growth.
Residents living near the reservoir have voiced mixed reactions, with some welcoming the prospect of economic activity and jobs, while others fear that unchecked commercialisation could eventually damage one of the capital’s few remaining clean water sources.
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