Top court allows mulberry trees’ cutting in F-9 Park

The trees are being chopped to curb spread of pollen allergy, CDA tells apex court

ISLAMABAD:

During the hearing of the suo motu notice on the cutting of trees in Islamabad’s F-9 Park, the Supreme Court (SC) on Monday allowed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to cut the mulberry trees.

A three-member bench headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Qazi Faez Isa heard the case on Monday.

At the onset of the hearing, the CDA officials told the apex court that mulberry trees were cut in F-9 Park. “Mulberry trees are being cut down to curb the spread of pollen allergies,” they told the court. “Where is the wood of the felled trees?” inquired the CJP. The CDA officials replied: “The wood is taken by the contractor.”

CJP Isa further inquired the CDA counsel about the number of staff employed in the environment department of CDA. The counsel told the court that CDA had 4,500 officers and gardeners.

During the hearing, the chief justice remarked: “If the mulberry trees are so bad, why were they planted?” The CDA officials replied that during the establishment of Islamabad, mulberry seeds were brought from China and thrown into the city by plane. “Eco-friendly trees are being planted instead of mulberries,” they informed the court.

The CJP remarked: “While walking, I wanted to uproot some dry trunks and plant a new tree. However, I was told that only the CDA could do this, not me.”

Environmental affairs expert Raza Bhatti told the court that in China, mulberries were planted in a controlled environment and not in public places.

The court remarked that the CDA staff should ensure their presence at the time of the felling of mulberry trees. “It should be ensured that no tree other than mulberry is cut,” the CJP directed.

The court asked the parties for names and suggestions of experts for appointment as observers within three days.

The hearing of the case was adjourned indefinitely.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 5^th, 2024.