Lahore: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has directed the housing schemes to make plantation of two trees per house mandatory for issuance of an NOC, a news source reported. In the case of non-compliance, the house map (building plan) will not be approved.
To implement the order, the court has instructed the Government of Punjab to amend the concerned laws to implement the order. Furthermore, the court also ordered that heavy penalties will be imposed on those found involved in felling.
The LHC gave a 78-page long verdict while hearing a petition filed by civil society activists in Lahore. As per this verdict, the factories and industries not taking part in the plantation drive will also be pursued legally. In order to ensure success of the campaign, the court instructed the provincial government to facilitate the Forest Department and Parks and Horticulture Authority.
The court also directed that the concerned department will be responsible for tagging and taking care of these trees. Furthermore, this department will also issue an annual report on the plantation campaign, and issue permits that will allow felling.
