Canocarpus on Shaheed-e-Millat Rd choped

Parks dept says Neem trees will be planted at these places before Eidul Azha

KARACHI:

Hundreds of Canocarpus trees along Shaheed-e-Millat Road were chopped down that besides depriving the citizens of tree shades and posing an environmental threat also disrupted the traffic flow as all trees fell on the road leaving very little room for all vehicular traffic. The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) is facing severe criticism from urban circles for cutting down trees. However, Director General (DG) Parks Junaid Ullah Khan stated that the trees have been cut down to plant eco-friendly trees at these places before Eidul Azha.

Specifically, Neem (Azadirachta indica), Gulmohar (Royal Poinciana or Flamboyant), and other varieties will be planted, replacing the Canocarpus trees, he said, adding these measures will be taken under the directive of Mayor Murtaza Wahab to plant environment-friendly trees across the city.

DG Parks said that Canocarpus trees are being removed from the main roads of Karachi, including Stadium Road, Karsaz. Various groups within the city are harshly condemning KMC over their tree-cutting actions.

Environmental welfare organisations have spoken out against the tree cutting, arguing that the Canocarpus trees provided essential shade for citizens, particularly during the hot weather. They claimed that there was no valid reason to remove them.

Sources stated that the KMC has been illegally installing electronic signboards on poles, but the presence of trees was obstructing their visibility.

Notably, the Supreme Court has imposed a ban on billboard hoardings, but despite this, electronic signboards (DSNG) are being installed illegally on major roads such as Sharea Faisal, Sir Shah Suleman Road, and others.

Jinnah Town Chairman Farhan Ghani has taken a stand against this illegal activity and halted the installation of these signboards in his town.

Sources further stated that there are allegations that bribes were received from companies responsible for installing billboards, in exchange for permission to cut down trees. In this regard, Mayor was contacted for his comments on the issue, but he did not respond to the call.