Islamabad: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is facing difficulties to go ahead with its project, Ataturk Avenue, because of environmental agencies’ concerns regarding the mass tree felling involved, according to a news report. The Ministry of Climate Change (MoCC) and the CDA have launched a plantation drive to compensate for the 291 trees which have been cut; and plan to replace these with over 2,640 more trees.
During February 2016, the Environment Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) had issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the CDA for the project, however, after the judiciary and civil society raised concerns, the organisation issued an Environmental Protection Order (EPO). The case has now been referred to the Environmental Protection Tribunal and the CDA is hoping that the matter will be resolved soon.
