Capital battles pollen with tree overhaul
As pre-monsoon clouds gather over the Margalla Hills, another kind of storm is unfolding in the capital — one driven by chainsaws, excavators, and urgent environmental action. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is racing to remove thousands of paper mulberry trees from Islamabad ahead of their next bloom to prevent a repeat of springtime health crises.
Islamabad, long celebrated for its greenery, is now rethinking its urban landscape. The fast-growing Broussonetia papyrifera, or paper mulberry, was heavily planted in the 1960s to shape the city's verdant image. However, the tree has since become one of the leading causes of severe seasonal allergies.
"We're not just cutting treeswe're saving lives," said CDA Environment Director Irfan Niazi. "This is one of the most important environmental health initiatives in the city's history."
Each spring, male mulberry trees release immense quantities of airborne pollen, triggering asthma attacks and allergic reactions in thousands of residents. According to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), over 12,000 allergy patients are treated annually due to mulberry pollen, with emergency rooms reporting a 30% spike in asthma cases.
"If we don't remove a critical number of these trees before the next flowering cycle, we'll face another health disaster next year," said Akhtar Rasool from CDA's Horticulture Department.
The CDA's tree removal drive, launched last year, has entered an accelerated phase. Targeted operations are underway in sectors such as G-6, G-7, F-6, and F-8, where the density of mulberry trees is highest. Each tree is GPS-tagged, assessed for size and location, and only male trees are removed. Removal activities are being documented for transparency.
Work crews, clad in safety gear, operate daily to cut, chip, and transport the trees. The campaign is supported by traffic and safety teams to maintain public order and protect infrastructure.
Critically, for every tree removed, the CDA is planting at least 10 native, low-allergen species such as phulai (Acacia modesta), amaltas (Cassia fistula), sukh chain (Dalbergia sissoo), and wild olive (Olea ferruginea). These species support biodiversity, provide shade, and do not release harmful airborne pollen.
"These trees are either insect-pollinated or produce heavy pollen, making them safer for public health," said CDA botanist Rana Kashif. He added that CDA nurseries are cultivating over 100,000 saplings this year, with mass plantation planned during the monsoon season.
At Polyclinic Hospital, where allergy cases have surged for years, Medical Officer Dr. Swaira welcomed the move. "We've seen patients develop chronic asthma from repeated exposure. With these removals, we hope for a measurable decline in cases by 2026."
Hospitals like PIMS and Polyclinic have established dedicated allergy clinics, expanded emergency capacity during peak pollen months, and are coordinating with CDA to monitor health impacts.
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