ISLAMABAD: In letters to various government departments and officials, an environmental expert has said the plantation of the alien conocarpus tree would destroy the ecosystem of the federal capital, similar to the planting of paper mulberry trees.

The expert, Shahida Kausar Farooq, is a member of the Federal Task Force on Environmental Protection and Uplift, which comes under the Ministry of Environment.

However, Capital Development Authority (CDA) Member Environment Sanaullah Aman has said the tree had not been planted in the city, and would be cut down if any information was received about it.

Ms Farooq is also the chairperson of Subh-i-Nau, an organisation concerned with environmental protection. She stated that the plantation of the exotic conocarpus tree was underway in the federal capital, in the name of increasing greenery in urban areas.

Environmental expert calls on govt to stop planting exotic conocarpus trees

“You may know that experiment of plantation of conocarpus has badly failed in Karachi, as trees are harming the health of our citizens and our local ecosystems. Islamabad is presently suffering from a similar situation as paper mulberry, an exotic tree, was planted decades ago. This does not suit our environment and has caused pollen allergy to thousands of residents of our capital city,” states a letter available with Dawn.

“We have time and again reminded the authorities to plant indigenous trees instead of expensive imported species. Former prime minister Shaukat Aziz planted a local tree at Prime Minister House after a successful advocacy campaign. He also announced to continue this policy in future as well. We would request the CDA to follow the same lines and stick to indigenous tree plantation only,” it reads.

Another issue highlighted in the letter is the burning of trash under trees in the city.

“We have ourselves observed that garbage is burned at different places in the city and in some areas this is happening right under shady trees which cause them to burn and fall down. This not only causes air pollution but also irreparably damages these trees.”

Ms Farooq told Dawn that alien tree species would not only create problems for citizens in the form of allergies but would also destroy underground species, and grass and trees that grow naturally in the city.

“These alien trees can also destroy underground earthworms and other insects that are necessary for the soil’s fertility. Hopefully, the CDA will maintain the clean, green character of the city,” she said.

Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) Chairman Dr Anisur Rehman also said saplings from local trees should be used for mass plantations.

“The local variety evolves in the area because people allow it, because of its people-friendly nature. It is possible that the CDA may have given some party a contract and it could be planting conocarpus in the capital. The CDA should look into it and remove the alien trees because they have already created allergy problems in Karachi,” he said.

“Our local trees are very beautiful and they are environment-friendly. Currently, an American species – Lantana Camara – has been spreading in the Margalla Hills National Park area. It has captured almost 10pc of the national park. It is creating problems for the local species, and even grass cannot grow under the tree,” he added.

CDA’s Mr Aman denied that conocarpus was being planted in the city. “We have checked in different parts of the city and haven’t found it.

If people inform us of the trees we will definitely remove them. During plantations, it is ensured that only environment and people-friendly trees are planted,” he said.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2016