LHC seeks report on tree felling

LAHORE:

Justice Shahid Karim of the Lahore High Court (LHC) condemned the cutting of trees in the Township area and directed authorities to submit a comprehensive report on the matter by December 6.

The report must detail the procedure followed and determine whether the trees could have been safely transplanted instead of felled.

During the proceedings, Justice Karim also proposed that educational institutions consider starting winter vacations early for primary schools as a precautionary measure to mitigate the worsening smog.

Additionally, he suggested limiting development projects to two or three days a week to further control pollution levels.

A Member of the Judicial Water and Environment Commission informed the court that several trees in Township had been cut down.

Local residents claimed the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) was responsible, but further investigation revealed that officials from the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) were involved. "Who authorised the cutting, and what action has been taken?" Justice Karim demanded. He remarked that criminal proceedings should be initiated against the director general of the PHA.