April 01, 2008	Tuesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 23, 1429

ISLAMABAD, March 31: The Capital Development Authority’s claim that paper mulberry tree is the main cause of pollen allergy in Islamabad has proved false as despite chopping down of thousands of trees, pollen allergy in the city during the current spring season continues to rise, Dawn learnt on Monday.

According to Pakistan Meteorological Department, the pollen count in the current season has gone up to 94,000 per cubic feet in Islamabad which shows that mass cutting of paper mulberry did not work.

The CDA bosses have admitted that they had axed thousands of paper mulberry trees from different parts of the capital with a purpose of lowering the impact of pollen allergy in the city.

However, environmentalists opposed the stance of the CDA and vehemently criticised butchering of trees on a mass scale. They were of the view that not only paper mulberry tree but other trees and plants also contributed in spreading the disease.

It has been observed that the civic body had removed almost 40 per cent of the green area and woods from Islamabad giving a new look to the capital. Some times back Islamabad was famous because of its green environment but now the city is presenting a scene of an ordinary city.

Meanwhile, the sixth free pollen allergy relief camp organised by the local administration concluded here at Aabpara Community Centre on Monday.

As many as 6,700 allergy patients were treated at the two- week long camp and all medicines were provided free of cost.

Chief Commissioner, Islamabad, Hamid Ali Khan appreciated the performance of doctors and paramedics who rendered their valuable service at the camp for a noble cause.

He congratulated District Health officer Dr Fazle Maula, National Tibb Council Hakeem Rizwan Hafeez, Dr Usman Yousaf, National Homeopathic Council and philanthropists for holding the camp successfully.