CDA Begins Replacing Wild Mulberry Trees in Islamabad After Supreme Court Orders

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) Islamabad has issued a tender to cut wild mulberry (Shehtoot) trees and plant environment-friendly native trees across the federal capital.

According to the tender documents, the decision has been taken in compliance with the Supreme Court orders to address pollen allergy issues caused by wild mulberry trees in Islamabad. The CDA plans to remove these trees and replace them with local, low-allergen species.

However, CDA sources revealed serious concerns over the implementation of the earlier contract. The contractor assigned to cut wild mulberry trees allegedly cleared all trees from an area spanning three to four acres, including non-targeted trees planted alongside the mulberry trees.

Sources said that nearly four acres of land in the federal capital were left completely barren, as the contractor carried out tree cutting without proper marking or identification, violating standard procedures.

The incident has raised questions over monitoring, accountability, and environmental safeguards in the execution of the project, despite its stated objective of promoting a healthier urban environment.