Around 500 twelve-foot pine trees were planted on Thursday at the Tayyip Erdoğan Interchange as part of a joint initiative by a civil society organization, the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI), and the Capital Development Authority (CDA). Officials stated that January offers favorable weather for pine plantation, allowing saplings to grow stronger and ensuring long-term environmental benefits.
The plantation campaign follows CDA’s removal of over 29,000 paper mulberry trees across the city, which authorities said was aimed at reducing pollen-related allergies. CDA also confirmed the plantation drive through an official statement shared on social media.
However, the tree removal sparked public criticism, prompting the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to order an immediate halt to further cutting in the federal capital until further notice. The court also sought a detailed report from CDA and other relevant departments and summoned the government’s law officer to justify the initiative.
In another news, read more about Islamabad to Replace Mulberry Trees with Allergy-Safe Species
The case has been adjourned until February 2, while authorities continue to assert that the removals were carried out under an approved plan and have promised compensatory plantation for the felled trees.
