The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has announced a plan to remove allergy-triggering mulberry trees in Islamabad and replace them with native plant species.
This initiative aims to reduce pollen-related health issues affecting residents, particularly during the spring season.
The was decided in a meeting chaired by CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa, with environmental experts and senior officials in attendance. Experts highlighted that pollen from paper mulberry trees is a major cause of seasonal allergies in the city, making it necessary to replace them with more suitable trees.
Under this plan, around 10,000 paper mulberry trees will be removed from Shakarparian, with 50,000 new trees planted in their place. Additionally, approximately 1,000 trees will be cleared from roadsides and drainage areas, where 80,000 indigenous trees will be introduced.
Other sectors of Islamabad will also see 10,000 paper mulberry trees replaced with 50,000 native plants.
Officials emphasized the importance of monitoring the operation to ensure only the targeted trees are removed while preserving the city’s greenery. The CDA has previously attempted similar initiatives, but this marks the first large-scale effort to address the issue.
A long overdue good decision finally. Paper Mulberry trees were planted only for the reason that they grow at a fast pace – same logic adopted here in Karachi when Conocarpus trees were planted some 15 years ago. They have made life hell as their roots enters into water pipelines and damage them badly
Goes to show how being hasty can backfire. But khair, what’s done is done. We can finally destroy this problem.
This monstrous tree is making out life hell. It is causing huge burden on health care system of Islamabad. It’s removal will not only provide relief to patients but also the over burdened health care providers.