Federal authorities are intensifying a campaign to remove allergenic Paper Mulberry trees from the capital, citing the invasive species as a major contributor to severe allergies and asthma-related health problems among residents.
According to an official information today, the initiative was a central topic in a high-level governmental session convened on Friday to review environmental protection measures.
The meeting was chaired by the Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Malik. Key attendees included Minister of State for Interior, Mr. Talal Chaudhry; Chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), Mr. Muhammad Ali Randhawa; and the Secretary of the Ministry of Climate Change, Ms. Aisha Moriana, alongside senior officials from various government bodies.
During the discussion, officials were briefed on the ongoing programme, which focuses on the selective removal of Paper Mulberry trees. The operation targets areas where the species” concentration exceeds 90 percent, such as Shakarparian, F9 Park, and along the H8 and H9 sectors.
To safeguard the city”s green landscape, the plan stipulates that more trees will be planted than are removed. The felled Paper Mulberry trees are set to be replaced with native, fruit-bearing species and pine trees. The strategy includes the installation of mature native trees to accelerate ecological recovery and ensure the city’s overall tree cover is not diminished.
The session also underscored the need for enhanced coordination between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the CDA, and the Ministry of Climate Change. This collaboration is deemed crucial for the timely execution of plantation activities during the forthcoming spring season to maximise environmental and public health benefits.
Dr. Malik directed the involved departments to develop a transparent and well-defined mechanism for permissions and licensing related to such environmental drives. He stressed the importance of streamlining processes and ensuring full compliance with existing laws, calling for all stakeholders to maintain close coordination on future tree plantation initiatives.