ISLAMABAD: A number of trees have fallen in the capital following the monsoon rains which have caused damage throughout the country, but the Capital Development Authority (CDA), which is responsible for plantation in the city, has not bothered to remove the trees.

During the recent rains, trees in sectors G-7, G-9, F-6 and in the greenbelts of different roads including Jinnah Avenue had fallen. In addition, some trees in these areas had been bent and may fall anytime.

An official of CDA, requesting not to be identified, said previously, trees were realigned after every rain by providing them support, and those which could not be realigned were shifted elsewhere.

“For example, when the Zero Point Interchange was being constructed, around 300 trees were removed and were shifted to various areas in the city,” he said.

“However, this season, CDA officials have not bothered to realign the trees and or remove them, which is creating a bad impression,” he added.

Abdul Sattar, a citizen who runs a plant nursery, said plantation campaigns were held twice a year but most of the saplings had dried. “We should assure protection of trees because they provide oxygen and consume underground water using their deep roots,” he said.

Spokesman CDA Dr Naeem Rauf, while talking to Dawn, said there were several teams responsible for the protection and care of trees.

“We try to provide support to the trees which are bent by storms or rains, but some trees cannot be fixed again. Therefore, we have to replace them with new ones.

Similarly, fallen trees are shifted to the warehouse and after drying them, the wood is auctioned,” he said.