Islamabad, known for its scenic beauty and carefully planned architecture, is facing serious environmental and civic management issues. Recent discussions among journalists have uncovered alarming problems relating to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) nurseries, improper waste data reporting, artificial beautification, and the uncontrolled sewage system of restaurants on the Margalla Hills, raising serious concerns about the city’s future.
One of the most glaring issues is the neglected state of the “CDA Nurseries”. Once a symbol of the city’s commitment to maintaining natural beauty, these nurseries now lie abandoned. Despite the availability of land and resources, the nurseries have failed to produce enough seasonal and evergreen plants for the city’s beautification projects. Instead, authorities resorted to installing “Artificial flowers” for major national and international events, citing that it was not the flowering season.
However, as pointed out during the committee meetings and echoed by civic voices like Shamshad Mangat, this justification hides deeper problems, including mismanagement, lack of planning, and a disinterest in long-term sustainable beautification. Mangat and others rightly question: if other major capitals can manage year-round greenery, why is Islamabad falling behind despite having dedicated nurseries and allocated water supplies?
Shockingly, it was revealed that nursery water supplies are being mismanaged. Leaking canals and broken infrastructure mean that much water never reaches the plants. Despite efforts by individuals like Deputy Director Rana Tahir, the systemic negligence from CDA’s higher-ups has rendered such efforts ineffective.
Equally troubling is the sewage crisis unfolding in the Margalla Hills National Park area. Major restaurants operating in the protected zone have been discharging untreated sewage directly into the environment. This not only threatens the pristine beauty of the Margalla Hills but also risks polluting the underground water tables and Rawal Lake, a critical water reservoir for the city.
Another critical voice in the discussion is Aftab Ahmad Sindho, who brought sharp insights into the environmental mismanagement plaguing Islamabad. Sindho highlighted the alarming discrepancies in the city’s waste management data, exposing how official figures grossly understate the actual volume of waste produced. He also raised pressing concerns about the broken infrastructure at the CDA nurseries, particularly the misdirection of water meant for plant cultivation. Through his detailed observations, Sindho underscored the deeper systemic failures within the CDA, emphasizing that without transparency, accountability, and real commitment, Islamabad’s environmental challenges will only worsen.
The issue becomes even more serious considering the broader pattern of unauthorized constructions around Rawal Lake and Margalla Hills including marquis, apartment buildings, and housing colonies — many allegedly approved without proper environmental planning. Despite earlier Supreme Court orders post-2009-10 about establishing sewage treatment plants (STPs) in such areas, enforcement remains lax.
As Shamshad Mangat passionately argues, these interconnected issues nursery neglect, artificial beautification, fake waste data, and sewage mismanagement highlight a larger crisis of urban governance. Islamabad’s authorities must be held accountable. Cosmetic fixes like artificial plants or temporary sewage plugs will not save the city’s natural heritage. Long-term planning, real environmental stewardship, and strict regulatory enforcement are urgently needed if Islamabad is to preserve its status as one of the world’s most beautiful capitals.
