CDA plans to make Islamabad mulberry-free by spring, replace trees with allergy-friendly species, and upgrade flyovers, roads, and green belts.
Allergy patients in Islamabad are set to get real relief as the Capital Development Authority (CDA) moves to remove mulberry trees from the city. According to CDA Deputy Director General (Environment) Irfan Azeem Khan Niazi, around 75 percent of the replacement work has already been completed, and Islamabad is expected to be completely free of mulberry trees by spring.
Niazi said the campaign is part of a broader focus on reducing seasonal allergies, improving the environment, and beautifying the federal capital. The initiative comes at a time when residents have been facing rising pollen and allergy cases, especially during the spring season.
Why Mulberry Trees Are Being Removed from Islamabad
Mulberry trees have long been identified as a major source of pollen-related allergies in Islamabad. During the spring season, many residents experience breathing issues, eye irritation, and other symptoms that are directly linked to pollen levels.
With Islamabad’s population growing rapidly and more housing schemes and commercial projects being built, exposure to pollen has increased. More people, more traffic, and more construction have all added to air quality concerns. In this context, the decision to remove mulberry trees and replace them with allergy-friendly species is being presented as a public health measure rather than just a cosmetic change.
Officials say the CDA is replacing mulberry trees with species that are better suited to the local environment and less likely to trigger allergic reactions. This is expected to bring gradual but meaningful relief for thousands of allergy patients who struggle every year during peak pollen season.
New Tree Plantation and Greener Flyovers
Niazi said the Prime Minister has placed strong emphasis on keeping Islamabad green and attractive while major infrastructure work is underway. On the directions of the Interior Minister, the CDA has been instructed to ensure that green belts around flyovers and main roads are properly developed.
This includes planting flowering and environmentally suitable tree species along corridors, interchanges, and roadside green belts. The goal is to replace high-allergy species with plants and trees that offer shade, colour, and environmental benefits without causing serious health problems.
Beautification work is also taking place at major interchanges, where landscaping and greenery are being added. These efforts are meant to keep the city’s character as a “green capital” even as new roads and structures are built.
New Flyovers and Road Projects to Ease Traffic
Alongside the tree replacement drive, Islamabad is also seeing rapid infrastructure development. Niazi announced that two new flyovers at D-Chowk and Shaheen Chowk are expected to be inaugurated within the next few days, depending on the Prime Minister’s schedule.
These flyovers are part of a larger plan to improve traffic flow in busy parts of the city. As traffic volumes increase with more vehicles on the road, bottlenecks at key intersections have become a daily frustration for commuters.
Niazi also highlighted the Faizabad remodelling project, which includes road widening and loop extensions. Once completed, this project is expected to significantly reduce congestion at one of the busiest entry and exit points for Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
For residents, the combination of better roads, new flyovers, and greener surroundings should mean shorter travel times and a more pleasant driving experience.
How These Changes Will Help Allergy Patients?
For allergy sufferers, the most important part of the plan is the removal of mulberry trees and the introduction of allergy-friendly species. While pollen from other plants will still exist, experts believe that reducing one major source can make seasonal allergies easier to manage.
People who regularly face breathing trouble, asthma flare-ups, or eye allergies in spring may notice a gradual improvement over the next few years as the new plantations mature and mulberry trees disappear from public spaces.
Doctors still advise common precautions, such as avoiding unnecessary outdoor activity during high-pollen days, using masks when needed, and keeping windows closed during peak allergy hours. However, a better-planned urban forest with suitable species can reduce the overall burden on hospitals and clinics during pollen season.
What Islamabad Residents Should Expect Next
Niazi said the CDA’s work on tree replacement, road upgrades, and beautification is ongoing and will continue through the coming months. Residents can expect to see more construction activity around key chowks and interchanges, along with new plantation drives on green belts.
He stressed that the decision to remove mulberry trees is linked directly to public health and the city’s long-term planning needs. As Islamabad grows, there is a need to balance infrastructure, greenery, and liveability.
If implemented effectively, the current drive could make Islamabad a cleaner, less allergy-prone, and more comfortable city, especially for people who have long struggled with seasonal pollen. For now, allergy patients have reason to be optimistic as the capital moves toward a more carefully planned urban environment.
