Senate body summons CDA chairman over tree cutting in Islamabad

Taking notice of the cutting of trees in different sectors of Islamabad by the Capital Development Authority (CDA), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman, who is also the chairperson of the Senate’s Standing Committee on Climate Change, on Tuesday directed the CDA chairman to appear before the committee on January 22, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Sherry said that indiscriminate cutting of trees in the federal capital was indeed a matter of grave concern. “Ignoring environmental protection is against the national interests,” she added.

She further said that the cutting of 50-year-old trees was simply unacceptable. “We cannot allow the CDA to rob the city of its precious vegetation under the pretext of rooting out paper mulberry trees,” Sherry said emphatically.

The senator said that planting trees in the federal capital was a national duty.

She also made it clear that the violation of environmental rules could not be tolerated.

She expressed the resolve that in future laws would be enacted to prevent the cutting of trees in such a manner. “Lahore and Multan are already grappling with smog. Do you want Islamabad to face the same problem?”

Sherry said that the protection of environment was necessary for future generations. “Reduction in vegetation will lead to an increase in heat and pollution.”

Reporter: Rozeena Ali