Islamabad: The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, ruled on Monday 04 March 2024 that the Capital Development Authority (CDA) is permitted to remove only wild mulberry (papers mulberry) trees from the F-9 Park area. The court also demanded the names of individuals to serve as experts and observers within three days.
In a suo moto case concerning tree felling in the federal capital, a three-member bench of the apex court emphasized the importance of proposals from the civic body to ensure both public and judicial confidence. The court specifically directed the CDA to oversee the removal of wild mulberry trees while ensuring the presence of its staff to prevent the chopping of other trees.
During the hearing, Irfan Azam Khan, CDA Director General of Environment, informed the court that a contract had been awarded to clear paper mulberry trees from a 55-acre area, with 99 percent of the designated trees already removed due to concerns over pollen allergies.
However, Chief Justice Isa expressed concern about the potential destruction of the forest and emphasized the environmental perspective of the issue. He questioned the contractor’s ability to differentiate between wild mulberry and other trees and criticized the indiscriminate cutting observed.
Lawyer Hasan Raza Raza raised concerns about the expansion of the contracted area for tree removal beyond the initial agreement, prompting further scrutiny from the court. The court learned that the wood from the felled trees had been taken by the contractor, prompting questions about why CDA’s own staff weren’t involved in the process.
Despite the CDA’s explanation that its staff lacked expertise in tree cutting, the court emphasized the importance of their presence during such operations. The court also delved into the history of mulberry tree planting in Islamabad, noting concerns over the choice of species and its impact on public health.
While acknowledging the limitations of penalizing the CDA at this stage, the court emphasized the need for environmental protection and the presence of relevant CDA staff during tree felling activities. The hearing was adjourned for further proceedings.