CDA Islamabad has started cutting wild mulberry trees and planting native species after Supreme Court orders, but concerns have emerged over overcutting and weak monitoring.
Supreme Court Order Triggers Citywide Tree Replacement
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has launched a major tree replacement drive in Islamabad following orders from the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The initiative focuses on cutting wild mulberry (shehtoot) trees, which have long been linked to seasonal pollen allergies in the federal capital, and replacing them with environment-friendly native species.
According to tender documents issued by the CDA, the authority plans to remove wild mulberry trees in different sectors of the city and replant the cleared areas with local species that produce less pollen and are better suited to the region’s climate. The drive is part of a broader effort to reduce health risks associated with pollen allergies while maintaining Islamabad’s green character.
Concerns Over Misuse of Earlier Tree-Cutting Contract
Despite the positive intent behind the project, serious concerns have emerged over how an earlier tree-cutting contract was implemented on the ground. CDA sources claim that the contractor responsible for removing wild mulberry trees went beyond the agreed scope in at least one area, clearing all trees from a patch of land estimated at three to four acres.
Instead of selectively cutting only the targeted mulberry trees, the contractor allegedly removed non-targeted species that were planted alongside them. As a result, almost four acres of land in the federal capital were left barren, with no trees standing after the operation. The incident has raised red flags inside the organisation about weak field supervision and the risk of misuse under large-scale clearing contracts.
Standard Procedures Ignored, Say CDA Sources
Officials familiar with the matter say that standard procedures were not followed during the earlier cutting exercise. Normally, trees that are scheduled for removal should be clearly marked and identified in advance, so that field teams and contractors know exactly which specimens may be cut and which must be preserved.
In this case, CDA sources allege that tree cutting was carried out without proper marking or on-site verification. This allowed entire clusters of trees to be felled, including those that were not causing pollen problems. Environmental experts warn that such practices not only damage the local ecosystem but also undermine public confidence in official greening and replanting campaigns.
Balancing Allergy Concerns With Urban Ecology
Health officials and environmentalists agree that pollen from wild mulberry trees can trigger severe allergies for many residents during the spring season. Reducing high-pollen species in densely populated areas is therefore seen as a legitimate public health goal. However, they stress that this must be done in a planned and balanced way, with careful mapping, phased cutting and guaranteed replanting.
Replacing wild mulberry trees with a diverse mix of native, low-allergen species could, in theory, improve both health outcomes and biodiversity in Islamabad. But if contractors clear whole patches without immediate replanting, the city risks losing mature tree cover that provides shade, habitat for birds and natural cooling at a time when urban heat and air pollution are growing challenges.
Calls for Stronger Monitoring and Accountability
The reported overcutting has led to fresh questions about monitoring, accountability and environmental safeguards in CDA-led projects. Citizens and experts are calling for stricter on-ground checks, clearer written instructions to contractors and mandatory post-work inspections before payments are cleared.
Some observers have suggested that satellite imagery, GIS mapping and community oversight could help the CDA track which trees have been removed and whether promised replanting has actually taken place. Others argue that the authority should publicly disclose species lists and planting locations so that residents can see how and where green cover is being restored.
For now, the CDA’s tree replacement drive remains under the spotlight. While the goal of reducing pollen allergy risks is widely supported, the real test will be whether the authority can protect non-targeted trees, enforce proper standards in the field and ensure that Islamabad’s reputation as a green city is strengthened rather than weakened by this programme.
