CDA Secures 3.8 million Plant Pledges for Margalla Hills Reforestation

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has received pledges for 3.8 million plants to be planted in the Margalla Hills during the current monsoon plantation drive. These pledges come from the private sector, corporate sector, and civil society, following a symposium organized by the CDA on the directions of the Federal Government. The CDA’s monsoon plantation drive is a response to the recent series of fire incidents in the Margalla Hills, which have burned thousands of hectares of forest and affected numerous tree species. To address the damage, CDA officials have taken drone footage to mark the affected areas, focusing their reforestation efforts on these zones. According to CDA officials, the corporate and private sectors will provide the plants, while the CDA will handle the actual planting. The authority has specified that the plants should be local species that require minimal water, due to the difficulty of manually transporting water to the Margalla Hills. This approach aims to support the natural regeneration of the forest ecosystem. The initiative not only seeks to restore the damaged areas but also aims to enhance the resilience of the Margalla Hills against future fire incidents. By planting species that are well-adapted to the local environment and capable of surviving with less water, the CDA hopes to create a more sustainable and robust forest cover. According to the officials, this plantation drive is part of a broader effort to protect and preserve the Margalla Hills, a vital ecological and recreational area for Islamabad. The success of this initiative depends on the continued support and collaboration of various sectors, underscoring the importance of community involvement in environmental conservation.