ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has registered eight cases against illegal cutting of trees in different sectors of the capital during the last four months.

Talking to APP, the CDA spokesman, Asim Khichi, said besides registering cases the civic agency also confiscated the stolen wood.

The CDA has decided to take strict action against contractors of different projects if they are found involved in tree cutting.

Orders have also been issued that no tree would be cut from the site of any development project and instead would be dug out carefully and replanted somewhere else, he added.

“The CDA has launched a strict check on lumbering, transit and sale of timber.”

He said special teams had been constituted by the environment wing of the authority to keep a vigil on cutting of woods.

A senior CDA official, who requested anonymity, added that the staff appointed to protect wood sometimes cut trees for fuel.

He said the officials completed their duties by the sunset, giving a free hand to thieves who then cut the trees and plants.

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2014