On notice: LHC seeks comments on tree cutting

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court has sought replies from the Punjab chief secretary and environment secretary on a petition against the felling of trees to make way for development projects in Lahore.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Information Secretary Andaleeb Abbas filed the petition, claiming chopping down hundreds of trees in Lahore would cause environmental degradation and increase pollution levels.

Petitioner’s lawyer Sheraz Zaka argued that Lahore had been deprived of its scenic beauty as thousands of trees were cut to make way for different megaprojects like the Metro Train’s Orange Line and the Canal Road widening project from Doctors Hospital to Thokar Niaz Beg.

The advocate pleaded that widening Canal Road should be declared illegal and alternatively if it was allowed then the government should be placed under obligation to plant replacement trees in order to prevent environmental degradation.

On Tuesday, Justice Ayesha A Malik issued notices to the respondents, directing them to submit their comments by January 13.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 7^th, 2016.