Illegal loggers pose as CDA staff to ‘steal’ trees

Authority promises action against wood thieves

ISLAMABAD:

The environment wing of the apex civic authority of the federal capital has taken notice of illegal logging in the federal capital, blaming impersonators for the heinous deed.

The environment directorate of the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) on Wednesday issued a statement on two trees which were cut down in the Blue Area of the city.

It is illegal to cut trees in the city with laws and court orders in effect.

“It is not the work of any CDA employee, but rest assured if an employee is found involved, they will be given exemplary punishment,” the directorate stated in their statement.

It added that they had received a complaint that some people, who claimed to be CDA environment officials, had cut down trees in front of GSR Laboratories in Blue Area and cut the leaves off trees. When confronted by locals, the officials said that it was their duty to do so.

The directorate further said that after a while, the two men returned and informed employees in nearby offices that they will be cutting down a couple of trees as part of the cleaning process initiated by the civic agency.

Shaukat Malik, a resident of Sector F-6, said, "I think there are various groups which are involved in such illegal activities.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 3^rd, 2020.