Paper mulberry trees’ removal in ICT: NA panel seeks detailed report from govt

ISLAMABAD: A National Assembly committee has sought from the government a detailed report comprising expert studies and technical assessments regarding the removal of paper mulberry trees in the federal capital.

The NA Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination met under the chair of Munaza Hassan on Friday.

The officials concerned at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC) and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) briefed the committee on tree-cutting, including the removal of paper mulberry trees, in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).

The committee questioned the justification, legal basis, and environmental implications of tree-cutting, including the removal of paper mulberry trees.

The officials briefed the committee that paper mulberry is considered as an extremely hazardous plant species for health, and is a major cause of serious respiratory ailments in the federal capital, especially pollen allergy and asthma. The removal of paper mulberry trees has resulted in significant reduction in pollen-related cases in Islamabad, the committee was informed.

Other trees, the committee was briefed, were removed for development purposes, and new trees, under the compensatory plantation drive, were being planted at alternate locations.

The committee expressed grave concern over what it described as the recent large-scale felling of trees across the ICT, and the lack of effective coordination among relevant authorities.

The committee required from the government bodies the submission of expert studies and technical assessments forming the basis for the removal of paper mulberry trees, along with a verification report from the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB), regarding tree-cutting in sensitive and protected areas.

Furthermore, the NA committee noted with concern the absence of Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa, Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik and Climate Change State Minister Shezra Mansab from the meeting, which, the committee members said, undermined parliamentary oversight.

The NA panel also raised questions over what it dubbed as the absence of environmental impact studies prior to trees removal, the cutting of trees in designated brown areas without ecological cost-benefit analysis, and weak institutional coordination between the CDA and the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA).

Also, the NA committee expressed dissatisfaction over the continued non-functional state of the IWMB and the Pakistan Climate Change Authority, observing that the absence of rules, systems, and legislation impaired effective environmental governance.

In addition, the panel asked the CDA to submit Islamabad’s master plan with clear demarcation of green and brown areas, supported by satellite imagery, and to provide comprehensive, site-wise data on tree removal and reforestation, including details of species affected and replanted.

Apart from committee members, senior government officials concerned attended the NA panel’s meeting.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026