The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Tuesday kicked off its winter plantation activity at Shakarparian, reaffirming its commitment to restoring and enhancing the city’s green cover through the planting of indigenous tree species.
Under the initiative, 1,400 new saplings will be planted during the winter season at Shakarparian, while a massive plantation drive planned for winter and spring aims to add 30,000 plants to the area by Spring 2026. Across Islamabad, the overall target has been set at 200,000 new indigenous trees.
The plantation activity was led by CDA’s Deputy Director General (DG) Environment Dr Sania Hameed Pasha, Director Environment Rana Kashif, and CDA Spokesperson Shahid Kiani. Speaking to media persons on the occasion, Dr Sania Pasha said that on the first day of the winter plantation drive, 450 saplings were planted, with the remaining to be completed during the ongoing winter season.
She explained that Shakarparian had appeared barren following the recent removal of trees, most of which were paper mulberry. “Against each removed paper mulberry tree, three indigenous trees will be planted,” she said, adding that the plantation activity was part of a long-term strategy to replace allergenic species with environment-friendly and locally suitable trees.
Dr Sania clarified that the CDA had removed only paper mulberry trees in strict compliance with the Supreme Court’s directions issued in a Suo Motu case in 2023. The apex court had declared paper mulberry a severe allergen and ordered its phased removal and replacement with indigenous species. Dismissing reports of large-scale tree cutting, she stressed that no indigenous or beneficial tree had been removed.
Highlighting the health concerns associated with paper mulberry, the Deputy DG said that approximately 37 per cent of Islamabad’s population is affected by pollen allergies every year during March and April. Paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera), she noted, is a major aeroallergen due to its excessive pollen production, which triggers respiratory illnesses such as allergic rhinitis and asthma. Responding to queries, Dr Sania said the CDA had issued clear instructions that only pollen-producing paper mulberry trees were to be removed. The authority’s Security Unit, she added, had been directed to ensure that no indigenous or environment-friendly trees were cut down anywhere in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).
