ISLAMABAD, June 27: There are only a handful of plants and trees that bloom during these hot and humid days that sizzle around 40 degrees Celsius.

While most of the places give a dusty and barren look, Islamabad is among the very few ones in the country which is still greener in sweltering heat because of vast variety of trees and well maintained grassy grounds.

But even in 'Islamabad the Green' a very limited number of trees bear flowers in summer and among all these the most notable is (cassia fistula) amaltaas, one of the most beautiful of all flowering trees in the region.

Almost all the varieties of flowers fade off by June, the flowering of amaltaas continue to increase from the second week of the month when the summer is at its peak, but the delicate looking beautiful flowers are sturdy enough to stand the violent summer storms.

Though one can find attractive varieties of bogenvelia, China rose and Crape myrtle at numerous spots in the federal capital blooming with pink, red and purple flowers, but the eyes cannot ignore the bright and golden flowers hanging like bunch of grapes from the amaltaas trees.

These flowers accompanied by long tube like buds containing seeds have medicinal value too, but that is not being harnessed to its potentials.

The enchanting beauty of amaltaas has not gone unnoticed by the city managers and as policy it has been decided by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) that the future plantations in the city would focus on local varieties.

The decision has been made to gradually replace paper mulberry which is the main source of pollen allergy in city.

Besides being native ornamental tree, the extended branches of amaltaas are also a source of firewood for the local villagers.

“The villagers collect broken twigs and cut some shoots and branches which is healthy for the tree and the surroundings,” said an official of the CDA.

Having strong reddish wood which is hard and heavy, the amaltaas tree can grow up to 40 feet, making it more attractive in the summer, shining with bright yellow flowers that give soft fragrance among the lush green of Islamabad .

To give the city a look of more natural beauty, the CDA has decided to plant trees with different flowering cycles, as the mix of large and small, deciduous and evergreen, flowering trees will create a beautiful scene in all the seasons, the Chairman CDA, Imtiaz Inayat Ilahi said.

“We are proud of our selection of flowering trees and happy to help the residents of the capital to plant trees in their private properties and start the journey towards a more beautiful personal environment,” said Mr Ilahi while Talking to Dawn.He said, “To implement the slogan ' Islamabad the Green' we need to make the imagination happen.”

He said that the CDA experts will choose the trees that are best for local climate and surroundings and “Work to bring your vision to life.”

To make Islamabad greener, the CDA has set the target of planting one million saplings annually, focusing on planting the indigenous species, especially fruit and flowering trees including pine varieties, kachnar, amaltaas, neem, jacaranda, olive and jaman, etc.

Due to the strict monitoring of the authorities and their consistent efforts the success rate in Islamabad is quite high, as more than 50 per cent planted sapling grow to become trees in Islamabad and the plans are underway to improve this survival rate in future plantation drives.