NA Committee Slams Massive Tree-Cutting in Islamabad

News Desk 

Islamabad: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination has raised serious concerns over the large-scale felling of trees across Islamabad, highlighting weak coordination among authorities and potential violations of environmental laws.

The committee, chaired by MNA Ms. Munaza Hassan, held a detailed briefing with the Ministry of Climate Change and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to examine the justification, legal basis, and environmental impact of recent tree-cutting activities, including the removal of paper mulberry trees and other species in various sectors of the federal capital.

The committee expressed dissatisfaction over the absence of key stakeholders, including the CDA Chairman and the Federal Minister and Minister of State for Climate Change, stating that such non-attendance undermines parliamentary oversight.

While the CDA claimed that Islamabad’s overall green cover has increased through compensatory plantation and transplantation, the committee remained unconvinced, emphasizing that post-facto assurances cannot replace prior environmental assessments and statutory compliance, especially in protected areas like Margalla Hills National Park.

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Lawmakers raised serious questions about the lack of environmental impact studies before tree removal, cutting in designated brown areas without ecological analysis, and poor coordination among CDA, Pak-EPA, and other regulators. 

The committee also criticized the non-functional state of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) and the Pakistan Climate Change Authority, noting that weak institutional structures have impaired effective environmental governance.

Concerns were also raised about the absence of a coordinated plan for air quality monitoring and emissions testing in the capital.

The committee directed the CDA to submit the Islamabad Master Plan with clear demarcation of green and brown areas supported by satellite imagery.

It also demanded detailed site-wise data on tree removal and reforestation, including species affected and replanted, expert assessments justifying the removal of paper mulberry trees, and verification reports from the IWMB on activities in sensitive and protected areas.

Improved institutional coordination and strict compliance with environmental laws were underscored as essential.

The meeting was attended by MNAs including Rana Ansar,  Shaista Pervaiz, Syeda Shehla Raza, Dr Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, Tamkeen Niazi, Shahida Rahmani, Bilal Farooq Tarar, and Tahira Aurangzeb, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Climate Change, CDA, and Pak-EPA.