Tree census

The decision of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to conduct a tree census and manage non-native species like the pollen-heavy paper mulberry is a science-based step toward smarter urban stewardship. This initiative should be treated as a test case – essentially a pilot project – for other cities to replicate. A nationwide tree census could have huge benefits for the environment, public health and equitable community planning.

This is because urban trees are far more than scenery. In fact, in a city like Islamabad, they are quite the opposite — the otherwise attractive paper mulberry was purposefully planted for its looks, but then became an invasive weed that incapacitates every pollen allergy sufferer in the city, causing widespread suffering and millions worth of economic losses due to reduced productivity.

However, with proper due diligence, trees can become vital infrastructure that cleans our air, cools our streets by over 5 degrees Celsius, reduces energy costs and supports public well-being. But resource management has been sub-par across the country. Even in K-P, where the PTI’s marquee ‘tree tsunami’ was arguably the party’s most successful project, credible corruption allegations have tainted its legacy. Meanwhile, stark inequities in urban tree cover persist. Some neighborhoods enjoy over 50% canopy cover, while others languish with less than 10%, exacerbating heat and health risks. A census would map these disparities, guiding targeted planting to ensure all communities thrive.

Cost concerns, while legitimate, can be malleated through the use of aerial laser scanning and satellite imagery analysis, which are already being used by the US Forest Service for its national inventory, and for tracking carbon, wildfire risk and biodiversity. Having an accurate and reliable count means city managers and policymakers can implement more precisely tailored solutions to secure the benefits of urban canopies for generations to come.