Lahore: Following disciplinary action against four of its officers, the Parks & Horticulture Authority (PHA) on Monday imposed a complete ban on tree trimming and felling across Lahore city, directing all concerned officers to ensure full compliance with the new orders.
The move comes after remarks by the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday, in which the court warned of legal action against PHA officials responsible for the cutting of trees reportedly along Canal Road last week. The court also expressed its disappointment at the authority for not previously imposing a ban on tree cutting.
According to a notification issued by the PHA under the orders of Managing Director Raja Mansoor Ahmed, the ban is effective immediately. The notification clearly states that unauthorised cutting of any tree is strictly prohibited. It further specifies that even minor trimming, pruning, or branch removal cannot be carried out without prior written approval from the competent authority, regardless of whether the activity is intended for electric line clearance, safety measures, or aesthetic maintenance.
The notification instructs all directors, project directors, and in-charge officers of the PHA to exercise enhanced vigilance in their respective jurisdictions. It emphasizes that protecting trees is essential for environmental conservation and promoting urban greenery. The PHA warned that any violation of these instructions will be dealt with under relevant laws and regulations.
Lahore has already experienced significant tree loss in recent years due to infrastructure projects. Reports indicate that over 2,100 trees were removed for three major developments: the signal-free corridor from Liberty Roundabout to Shadman via Jail Road, the Lahore Orange Line Metro Train Project, and the Canal Road Widening Project. Additionally, about 1,300 trees were uprooted during previous Canal Road widening work, and 120 trees were cut for the Link Canal Road project from Punjab University land to Kareem Block.
The 24-kilometre stretch of Lahore Canal Road is considered one of the country’s major urban green corridors, hosting a large number of mature trees. In July last year, National Engineering Services Pakistan (Nespak) completed the first large-scale digital mapping of this urban green cover, including geotagging of trees along the canal.
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