Lahore: On 17th May 2018, the Lahore High Court was told that the 27,510 trees of various species had been planted in the city, according to a news report. All of these trees have been planted as a replacement for the many development projects in the city; such as the widening of Canal Road from Dharampura to Jallo, and the construction of Orange Line Metro Train.
This figure was quoted separately in reports submitted by the Parks & Horticulture Authority (PHA) and the Punjab environment protection department (EPD). It was highlighted by Sheraz Zaka, part of the petitioner’s counsel, that Lahore is suffering from massive tree felling, which is increasing pollution and smog levels in the city. He also added that the Punjab Government had agreed in 2015 that for every tree cut down, 10 more would be planted but had, however, failed to do so.
The PHA has claimed in its report that as many as 27,510 trees have been planted along the canal, whereas, the EPD has said that a total of 3,200 trees have been planted.
