Trees removal linked to ongoing construction activities as well: WWF
The World Wide Fund-Pakistan (WWF-Pakistan) through field assessments and documentation has provided the evidence that the recent tree removal by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) is neither limited to Paper Mulberry nor driven solely by public health concerns related to pollen and allergies. This underscores the need for structured, transparent, and science-driven urban tree management.
The WWF while referring to the tree cutting across the parts of Islamabad which has drawn significant public attention, particularly where it overlaps with development and infrastructure activities revealed that not all ‘hazardous’ trees are chopped down.
WWF-Pakistan’s field observations show that while a portion of recent tree removal is associated with Paper Mulberry, significant vegetation loss is linked to unplanned infrastructure development.
Along the H-8 Islamabad Expressway (the proposed monument site) and the Margalla Enclave Link Road, land clearing has resulted in urban tree and vegetation cover loss across five hectares and 10-15 hectares respectively.
According to Muhammad Ibrahim Khan, Director Forests WWF-Pakistan, “Any infrastructure-related tree removal must be preceded by legally compliant environmental impact assessments (EIAs), followed by transparent disclosure and avoidance-first planning to ensure long term ecological integrity.”
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has stated that Paper Mulberry removal addresses public health concerns related to seasonal allergies. WWF-Pakistan supports the management of invasive species, while stressing that all removal activities must maintain ecological safeguards to protect Islamabad’s urban tree cover, said he.
Paper mulberry (Broussonetiapapyrifera) is a non-native and highly invasive species in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Male trees produce allergenic pollen and female trees bear fruit. The species has aggressively colonized natural vegetation pockets, peri-urban areas, and parts of the Margalla foothills, suppressing native tree regeneration, ground flora, and associated wildlife habitats. Its rapid growth, dense canopy formation, allelopathic effects, and ability to regenerate vegetatively and through seed dispersal makes complete eradication impractical.
“Large-scale removal such as this disturbs soils, damages understory vegetation, displaces urban wildlife, and risks unintended removal of native species and natural regeneration”, warned Khan.
WWF-Pakistan has put forward a structured strategy for the gradual management and replacement of Paper Mulberry in the capital. The approach uses priority-based zoning, supported by GIS mapping to assess the species’ extent, density, and dominance, enabling evidence-informed decisions rather than uniform, citywide clearance.
