Punjab ordered to ensure tree plantation

LHC seeks legislation to make cutting of trees punishable offence

ISLAMABAD: The Lahore High Court has directed the secretary and registrar of the provincial cooperatives department to issue directions to the housing societies and authorities for making plantation of at least two trees in the green belt in front of each house part of the allotment letters and by-laws of the society.

It also called for the imposition of heavy penalties, including a fine of at least Rs.25,000/- per tree for cutting the same and to monitor the trees through respective officers of the relevant society or authority.

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"The treatment and maintenance of the trees will be the sole responsibility of the society / authority concerned,” says the 78-page judgment over urban tree plantation.

The judgment notes that the government of Punjab, through its respective departments, shall make laws in imposing penalty and heavy fine for cutting, removing and damaging any tree without the permission of the concerned authority, including the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) and the forest department, and consider all mitigating measures at the time of public hearing of any project such as initial environmental examination (IEA) and environmental impact assessment (EIA).

Justice Hassan also notes that a specific officer may be appointed in a designated area to deal with the issues related to trees and afforestation, as the case maybe.

The judgment also directed all the relevant authorities to make and adopt comprehensive policies with respect to plantation of trees in urban areas in line with the Urban Plantation Policy and make their own policy under respective laws.

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"The school, colleges, higher education institutes, hospitals, parking sites, etc. are specifically directed to make policy for planting trees in open spaces like waiting areas and car parks," the judge wrote.

The court held that every responsible ministry, division, department and authority, etc., shall publish the yearly report in which it shall highlight the expansion of the forest area, tree plantation campaign in urban areas and also the action taken by them in compliance of the said laws.