Facing intense public backlash for cutting down a large number of trees at Shakarparian, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) initiated a new plantation campaign at the site on Tuesday. The authority presented this drive as a step to restore the environmental balance of the area, inviting media to witness the activity.
Public Outrage and Conflicting Claims
The plantation effort comes after widespread criticism from Islamabad residents and environmental groups. They expressed outrage over the removal of trees from at least four spots near Lok Virsa, transforming once densely vegetated areas into open, barren land. CDA officials maintained that the operation only targeted paper mulberry trees, a species notorious for causing severe pollen allergies during spring. They emphasized that compensatory saplings were being planted to make up for the loss.
However, this justification was strongly contested by environmental activists and local citizens. They insisted that other native species, including Sheesham, were also cut down during the operation. The scale of the clearance is starkly visible along Shakarparian Road, where thick greenery that once hid the Islamabad Expressway from view has now been stripped away, offering an unobstructed sight of the highway.
Controversy Spreads Beyond Shakarparian
The controversy has gained significant momentum on social media platforms. Former senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan publicly condemned what he called indiscriminate tree cutting in the federal capital. Concerns over environmental damage are not limited to Shakarparian alone. Reports indicate tree removal has also occurred along the Expressway in Sector H-8 for a park redevelopment project. Furthermore, felling has been reported on Park Road due to its dualisation and proposed infrastructure linked to the Margalla Enclave housing scheme, a joint venture between CDA and the Defence Housing Authority (DHA).
Calls for Accountability and Lasting Impact
While the new plantation drive seems designed to calm public anger, critics argue it is an insufficient remedy. They stress that compensatory planting cannot instantly replace decades-old urban forest cover that provided ecological benefits, shade, and beauty. The CDA, which operates under the Interior Ministry, has faced increased scrutiny in recent weeks over its development practices and environmental safeguards.
Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi had previously stated that authorities try to avoid cutting trees during projects, sometimes even modifying road alignments to preserve mature vegetation. Despite this, activists have renewed demands for an independent, science-based assessment to determine the true extent of tree felling and to fix responsibility. They warn that continued unchecked removal of greenery could lead to lasting environmental consequences for Islamabad.
