Trees cutting diminishes natural beauty of Capital

ISLAMABAD—The cutting of Pine trees in large number for Pakistan Day Parade and International Expo Centre in the National Park Area along Capital highway is diminishing the natural beauty of the area.
“We are trying our best to protect Pine trees from the woodcutter’s. But we will have to perform this cruel task if space is needed for a parking lot”, a worker from CDA Environment Wing said.
The worker said,”The trees are the beauty of the federal capital.So far we have not touched pine trees, but they would be chopped off if orders to this effect were received.
“We have been asked to clear an area of one square kilometres in Shakarparian portion of the National Park Area for development of a Parade ground and other facilities”, he said.
Another Environment Wing worker, supervising the activity, said that most trees in the area are of Paper Mulberry. But there are also trees of Sheesham and other varieties which are used in furniture and construction.
“The parade ground is being developed at the site where there was a village called “Parian” in good old days. The people of this village had very good house and they have been serving both in army and civil departments”, he said. About paper mulberry trees, he said, he did not know as to why they were planted in the metropolis. These trees are responsible for pollen allergy in the capital. The wood of this tree is neither used in construction nor can it be utilized for cooking food, he added.
The CDA would have to clear an area of 40 acres for the parade ground and 80 acres for an International Expo Centre. The parade ground would be ready for the Pakistan Day parade to be held on March 23, by end of January. The project of expo centre would be taken up in the next stage. As you cross the Sector I-8 traffic signal while coming from Zero Point, you would see the cutting of trees on the left as almost the entire area is now devoid of any kind of trees. “The forest has its own beauty, whether it consist of paper mulberry or other kinds of trees, “ the environment worker said. CDA Chairman, Kamran Lashari told APP that pine trees would not be cut down.I do not see any reason for cutting these trees. “I will seek the detailed plan of expo centre from concerned officials and ask them to protect the pine trees,” he added.—APP