Rainwater Harvesting Pilot Project to Start in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: (PR: Dated August 25, 2025): A meeting was held under the chairmanship of Chairman CDA, Muhammad Ali Randhawa. The meeting was attended by Member Administration and Estate Talat Mahmood Gondal, Member Environment Esfandyar Baloch, Member Planning and Design Khalid Hafiz, Deputy Director General Enforcement and other senior officers.

The meeting discussed rainwater harvesting in Islamabad. It was informed that the project would initially be implemented in Islamabad and later expanded to other cities across the country. The meeting was further updated that the feasibility study for the rainwater harvesting project in Islamabad has been completed and citizens will now be made aware of the initiative to effectively recharge rainwater into the ground.

The meeting also reviewed in detail the eradication of paper mulberry trees and the tree plantation campaign in Islamabad. It was shared that the phased removal of paper mulberry trees is ongoing to protect citizens from allergies and other related health issues. To ensure transparency, it was decided that third-party validation of this process will be conducted by a reputable, trustworthy, and recognized firm to guarantee impartial verification.

Regarding the tree plantation campaign, it was decided that large-scale tree planting will be carried out along the GT Road and all other areas where land has been recently reclaimed from illegal encroachers during anti-encroachment operations. The meeting also emphasized that all necessary protocols and requirements for plantation along highways must be fulfilled to ensure better growth and long-term protection of the plants.

Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa directed that all available resources be utilized to make Islamabad greener and more beautiful. He emphasized that tree planting should be undertaken immediately on any land reclaimed from the land mafia to transform these vacant spaces into green areas.

Chairman CDA further instructed the relevant departments to develop a comprehensive strategy for the tree plantation campaign, form special teams for plant care and monitoring and involve the public in this national initiative. He said that CDA will continue to take all possible measures to make Islamabad an environmentally safe, healthy and more beautiful city.