LAHORE, May 19: The Parks and Horticulture Authority has decided to remove eucalyptus from the city owing to its high water consumption.

A PHA spokesman said on Friday the authority had decided to phase out the eucalyptus because the tree consumed an average of 200 litres of water daily and was thus suitable only for controlling water logging. Plantation of eucalyptus in other areas resulted only in fall in underground water levels. The tree was not environment-friendly either for being instrumental in increase in atmospheric acidity.

He said the PHA had started replacing the clusters of eucalyptus trees along the Canal Bank and GT Road and planting other varieties of trees there.