Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has completely failed to preserve the precious trees of different species which fell as a result of the
intense windstorm which hit the federal capital recently. According to details available hundreds of uprooted trees including Mulberry, Silver Oaks, Chir and others fell in different sectors of the capital which could not be removed on time by the only civic body.

These fallen trees have affected the normal life of citizens in the federal capital.

Due to the negligence of the Environment Wing of the CDA, the timber mafia has looted the precious trees from roadsides while the CDA turned a blind eye. Talking to the Daily Times, a resident of Sector F-7, Bilal said one could see the thieves openly busy in cutting and carrying the woods from the roadsides. “The CDA could have saved the wood worth millions of rupees through a timely operation but it seems that the authority is hands in gloves with the timber mafia”, he added. Besides the timber mafia, he said, a number of residents had also stolen the trees which fell close to their houses.

It may be mentioned here that the Environment Wing of the CDA on Thursday had made a false claim by informing a CDA meeting that only 30 trees of different species fell during the windstorm.

It was also informed that the Authority had managed to remove the remaining trees and garbage after the windstorm with heavy machinery and by deputing 2000 sanitary staff and 400 Environment Wing staff.

But one could still see the road sides in various residential sectors of the city particularly F-7, F-6, G-6, G-8 and others with precious trees lying scattered, giving an opportunity to the timber mafia to cash in on the situation. When contacted Member Environment Wing of the CDA Sanaullah Aman said maximum trees had been removed from the roadsides after the storm. He said 30 trees were those that fell on vehicles , saying that a total of 120 big trees fell and about 400 trees got damaged due to the intense windstorm. He claimed that the removal work of the remaining trees would be completed by Monday. Sanaullah Aman said the Authority would take stern action against any person involved in stealing the precious trees.