ISLAMABAD: City managers swung into action on Tuesday against alleged illegal encroachment of forest land.

The CDA’s environment wing took action against alleged land grabbing in forestland (RF-8) in Bhara Kahu area where private developers, after chopping trees leveled the forest land, measuring over 10 kanals.

“Today, after receiving information about tree cutting in forest land, our team acted immediately and confiscated the machinery of private developers. We got the work halted. Our team imposed fine amounting to Rs7 million against the chopping of around 40 trees and over 100 shrubs,” said CDA’s spokesperson Shahid Kiani.

He said a case had been moved to the court of CDA’s magistrate for collecting fine and taking action against tree cutting and damaging landscaping. A First Information Report (FIR) has also been registered with Bhara Kahu police station.

“We are ensuring protection of greenery in Islamabad and strict action will be taken against those involved in tree cutting,” Mr Kiani said, adding that with the efforts of CDA overall green cover of Islamabad has been witnessing an increase.

“We have been carrying out tree plantation in Islamabad with a few species of trees in January, and we plan to accelerate our campaign next month. An official of CDA’s environment wing said the civic agency had a complete record of all forests, including record sheets of 1902 and 1935, in which the entire area of forest is clearly demarcated. The CDA official said as per its record, the said area fell in RF-8 Bhara Kahu.

Published in Dawn, January 21st, 2026