SUNDAY TIMES LAHORE: During hearing of a petition on non-plantation of trees in Punjab, director general Lahore Development Authority, director general Punjab Highway Authority and officials of other relevant institutions turned up before the court.
The DG PHA informed the court that Rs 27 billion were required for plantation of trees. The summary for expenditure on the project has been forwarded to the federal government and their reply is awaited, he told the court.
The court said it was an issue of importance; hence immediate steps were needed for its resolution. The LHC directed PHA, LDA and other institutions to file their replies on the petition by February 11.
The LHC also observed that no trees were being planted in any of the cities of Punjab.
The petitioner said chopping of trees coupled with climatic changes were triggering environmental changes quite rapidly.
He requested the court to order the government to start plantation of trees in all parts of the province.