Illegal felling: CDA increases night patrolling

ISLAMABAD:

The Capital Development Authority (CDA)’s environment wing has increased night patrolling to discourage the illegal cutting of trees in the city.

CDA Member Environment Mustafain Kazmi said illegal cutting, transportation and sale of trees in the capital was being checked strictly as, according to him, the CDA has deployed ‘sufficient’ workforce in hilly as well as urban areas to keep a check on it.  According to a press release, the CDA chairman has asked the environment wing to submit a weekly progress report about action being taken against violators.

“Due to low pressure and scarcity of gas and high price of firewood, some residents have started cutting trees illegally,” he said, adding that most trees were being cut illegally inside the greenbelts, Margalla Hills and public parks.

Rauf Ahmed, a resident, said most people cut trees at night to avoid arrests or being caught red-handed. Yaseen Ali, another local, said cutting wood from Margalla Hills was the only option for some foothill villagers. 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 4^th, 2014.