Islamabad’s administration has clarified that the ongoing tree-cutting campaign is limited to paper mulberry trees, citing their highly allergenic nature and significant contribution to severe allergies and asthma among residents.
The decision was reviewed during a meeting chaired by Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr Musadik Malik, where officials discussed environmental protection measures and maintaining green cover in the federal capital.
Officials noted that the campaign focuses on areas with over 90 percent concentration of paper mulberry trees, including Shakarparian, F-9 Park, and parts of H-8 and H-9 sectors, aiming to mitigate pollen-related health issues.
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CDA Deputy DG Environment, Irfan Khan Niazi, confirmed that 29,115 paper mulberry trees have been removed so far, with plans to replace each cut tree with three native saplings to restore ecological balance.
The administration assured the minister that the campaign would not reduce Islamabad’s overall tree cover, emphasizing that replantation includes fruit-bearing and pine species, as well as mature trees to accelerate recovery.
Dr Malik directed relevant departments to coordinate plantation efforts for the upcoming spring season, ensuring compliance with environmental laws while maximizing public health benefits and preserving Islamabad’s greenery.