CDA says PM office approved Islamabad tree felling

ISLAMABAD: There has been significant progress in the case against tree felling in the federal capital, the response given by the CDA in the Islamabad High Court has come to light, stating that the cutting of paper mulberry trees was approved by the Prime Minister’s Office.

The CDA submitted a 6-page response to the Islamabad tree felling case to the High Court, in which it said that the Islamabad High Court had directed the formation of a committee regarding the environment in 2022, on which other institutions including the Environment Protection Agency were included in the committee, after which a committee meeting was held in 2023 regarding the elimination of pollen allergies and then a public hearing was held on why the cutting of paper mulberry trees was necessary.

The CDA said that there is scientific research on the felling of paper mulberry trees to prevent the spread of pollen allergies, and journalist Saleem Safi had also written an article in 2024 on the elimination of pollen allergies, and the Prime Minister’s Office took notice and directed the CDA to take steps.

According to the CDA, this decision was not made in haste, but was made with the approval of the Prime Minister’s Office after the decisions, research, and meetings of the higher judiciary. Paper mulberry trees were felled and environmentally friendly trees were planted in their place.

The CDA said that the matters of felling of trees are under regular transparent tenders, if there is an affected party, he can approach the court, the felling of paper mulberry trees along the Islamabad Highway was also done in 2022, the government approved the Marka-e-Haq Yadgar, the CDA handed over the land to the Planning Ministry before the project started, the trees from this place have been moved to other places, including Shakar Parian.

The CDA requested the court to reject the petition to stop the felling of trees.