World Wide Funds for Nature-Pakistan (WWF-P) is alarmed at the planned cutting of trees by the Punjab government for constructing a flyover along the Lahore Canal at Thokar Niaz Baig.
According to a WWF-P's spokesman here on Tuesday, they feel that development should not be done at the cost of environment. The importance of trees could not be denied, as they form an important part of our ecosystem. Unfortunately, trees are the first victims of any such developmental work, he added.
According to him, they stress on carrying out of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in the said area before proceeding further for the construction of flyover. It is pertinent to mention here that under the Pakistan environment law, no developmental work could be carried out without conducting proper EIA. The planned construction of the flyover at the cost of cutting precious trees is the flagrant disregard of the environmental laws.
WWF-P categorically opposes any developmental work that is carried out at the cost of harming the environment. It also feels that the environmental concerns should be kept in mind while planning any developmental work in the city or elsewhere in the country. "We appeal to the concerned authorities to seriously look into the matter and stop the degradation of the environment. If, at all, the cutting of trees is involved, alternate measures of replanting of the trees should be carefully thought out," he added.