ISLAMABAD: At the inauguration of a plantation campaign in Blue Area on Thursday, the executive director of the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) called Islamabad one of the “most beautiful capitals of the world”, and said the city’s residents were responsible for ensuring “that its green posture continues as it was decades ago”.

Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri said areas should be identified before the start of plantation campaigns, and at the conclusion of the campaign it should be ensured that the planted saplings grow into trees.

“Before plantation campaigns the acceptance of the trees should be considered. In rural areas, people care more about fruit trees because those become beneficial to them. So they never allow the felling of a fruit tree,” he said.

“Similarly, the kinds of trees required should be considered in urban areas. Citizen groups should be formed, and should be made responsible for protecting 10 to 20 trees each.”

Dr Suleri added that when saplings are being considered for plantation, alien trees and trees that consume a large quantity of water should not be planted.

“The federal capital is already facing a water shortage. If willow trees are planted in the capital, that would exacerbate the water problem because they absorb much more water than other trees,” he explained.

Dr Suleri also said it must be ensured that the Margalla Hills National Park area is not disturbed by the felling of trees.

He also recommended that the city’s master plan be implemented in housing societies constructing on green areas. “If the construction of one building is allowed on a green belt, 10 other people will begin construction without approval,” he said.

Deputy mayor Zeeshan Ali Shah said the plantation of paper mulberry in the city had led to an increase of allergies among residents.

He said: “Now it is being ensured that trees that can cause allergies should not be planted. Plantation campaigns will be held all over the city from time to time to ensure that Islamabad remains ‘Islamabad the Beautiful’.”

SDPI representative Shakeel Ahmed Ramay said it has been decided that a plantation campaign would be carried out in Blue Area, following which campaigns would be held in the main markets of all sectors.

He said planting trees in various areas would provide some cover from the sun, and would reduce temperatures in the city. He said the heat wave that hit Karachi last year is what led to the establishment of shaded areas in the city.

Pakistan Youth Climate Network President Yasir Dil said the youth makes up over 60pc of society, and needed to come forward to protect the environment. He said young volunteers have planted trees and taken an oath to protect the samplings for the next six months.

Over 50 young volunteers, civil society members and local government officials jointed the plantation campaign.

Published in Dawn, September 2nd, 2016