Paper mulberry trees being eliminated: 80,000 people afflicted with pollen allergy in Islamabad

Sprawling green belts add to the beauty of Islamabad and keep the environment fresh as plants and trees emit large quantity of oxygen. But paper mulberry, which grows rapidly, is causing health problems for many residents of the federal capital. The mushroom growth of paper mulberry has gone unchecked over the years. Up to 80s, there was hardly any one complaining about excessive sneezing, sore throat, itching or suffocation.
However, today some 80,000 Islamabad citizens, men, women and children, suffer from these complications every autumn and spring, more severely in the latter season. Experts say the allergy becomes more acute in spring, if its cure is not sought in autumn.
Autumn no doubt is a 'season of mist and mellow fruitfulness' as put by John Keats in his Ode to Autumn. To him and many of us, the autumn has its own unique charm and intrinsic beauty. However, for some, it brings misery. About three to five percent of Islamabad's population falls victim to pollen allergy, says the Pollen Allergy Relief and Management Society (Parms), Islamabad.
Realising its severity, the administration established the Society. And for the first time, set up a camp at the Community Centre in Aabpara.
The pollen allergy renders its victim bed-ridden for a fortnight or so. Sometimes, the poor souls have to go out of Islamabad, especially during spring.
Some years back, the administration decided to get rid of paper mulberry trees while the drive is being carried out in phases. The target is its elimination by 2007.
According to an estimate, there are over 30,000 paper mulberry trees in the federal capital as their felling started a few years back.
The paper mulberry trees, no doubt, had helped the Environment Division of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) turning many 'naked zones' into green belts, but the health hazard it entailed for the neighbourhoods cannot be overlooked.
"We have decided to root out paper mulberry first from green belts and then from residential areas. In this connection, marking of male and female trees is currently under way", said Dr Suleman of the CDA Environment Division, adding the male tree produces round-shaped berry, while female yields tube-light-shaped 'fruits'.
Dr Suleman emphasised that the capital city cannot afford total denudation, saying the CDA is planting other kinds of trees in place of paper mulberry, and it has been decided that no new type of tree will be planted unless it is tested at, and approved by the CDA nursery at Chak Shahzad.
Assistant District Health Officer Nadeem Ahmed Gondal endorsed the elimination of the paper mulberry trees, but insisted on its timely replacement.
About allergy, he said it is still mystery, why pollen causes allergy to some people and is friendly to others? And what can exactly be done to prevent it, he questioned.
Islamabad Chief Commissioner Junaid Iqbal set up a camp on December 10 at the Community Centre, Aabpara, which has treated free some 3,000 allergy-affected patients, adding the free camp, which will continue till December 31.
He said the pollen allergy is cured through various treatments: They include allopathic, homeopathic, Hikmat (Tibb) and through spiritual way. They sit side by side at the camp. Spiritual healing is part of the treatment. At this counter, recording of Surah-e-Rahman's recording in the beautiful recitation by (late) Qari Abdul Basit of Egypt is given to the affected patients free of cost. They are advised to listen to recitation with full devotion, which, it is said, helps cure the ailment.
He said under the allopathic method, patients are administered vaccination after an allergy test without cost, while the National Institute of Health charges Rs 300 for such a test.
He explained that allergy can affect any individual during dry season or in spring. The affected person has to either leave the capital city or confine himself to house. Initially, the medical practitioners used to charge exorbitantly.
Excessive quantity of pollen from plants, grass and trees in (cross-pollination) spring can affect sensitive people.
The doctor, who is camp in-charge, pointed out that in the advanced countries, data about quantum of pollen in the air is also reported in weather bulletins.
In short, it is heartening to know the CDA has decided to get rid of paper mulberry. It may be pertinent to point out that paper mulberry is replaced by some friendly tree. Let's hope, next spring, the pollen allergy finds lesser victims than before till mulberry trees, as planned, are wiped out by 2007.