ISLAMABAD: Minister for Climate Change Dr Musadik Malik visited the Shakarparian site near Lok Virsa on Tuesday, calling the systematic felling of fully grown trees “unacceptable” and warning of strict legal action where environmental laws have been violated.
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Speaking at the site, Dr Malik acknowledged public outrage over the loss of tree cover, stressing that environmental protection remains a government priority. He said the matter had drawn serious attention due to its impact on Islamabad’s ecological balance, air quality, and landscape.
“We are here to review the circumstances under which the trees were removed and ensure accountability mechanisms are applied if violations of environmental regulations are found,” the minister said, emphasizing that development projects must comply with environmental laws and sustainability standards.
Shakarparian, part of Margalla Hills National Park, spans 3,499 acres. Reports indicate 27 acres of paper mulberry trees were cleared, while 1,001 indigenous trees were reportedly saved. Dr Malik said the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) would verify these figures.
The minister announced that legal notices would be issued against unauthorized construction and development activities. He also proposed amending existing laws to impose heavier financial penalties for tree felling and forest destruction, with a compensatory measure of planting three trees for each tree cut.
Media will be invited in spring for a plantation drive aimed at restoring wildlife, including fireflies and green parrots, Dr Malik added. He stressed that reforestation must follow ecological principles and avoid foreign species.
CDA officials briefed the minister that six indigenous species, including chir pine, kachnar, amaltas, jacaranda, arjan, and sterculia, were being planted. So far, 2,500 trees have been planted, with a total of 30,000 expected by the end of February to compensate for 8,700 felled paper mulberry trees.
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Public outcry has mounted over the large-scale felling of trees across Islamabad to accommodate development and urban expansion, drawing renewed scrutiny of green zone management in the federal capital.