LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has issued a strong warning against tree-cutting at Nasir Bagh, declaring that any violation will result in criminal cases being registered directly by the court.
Hearing petitions related to smog and environmental degradation, LHC judge Justice Shahid Karim reassured residents that his court would safeguard the environmental rights of Lahore’s citizens.
Justice Shahid Karim warned that unauthorised tree-cutting would result in FIRs registered under his personal supervision, remarking that trees, like humans, deserve protection.
He emphasised that Nasir Bagh, formerly known as Gol Bagh, is a historic landmark and an integral part of Lahore’s identity. He warned that the court would not tolerate any attempt to damage the site, including the cutting of trees.
The judge also noted that the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) has identified 804 parks in the city, adding that the court would ensure the restoration of 700 of them.
During the proceedings, a commission member highlighted increased dust pollution due to the construction of the Nawaz Sharif IT City, noting that the mapping of parks by PHA had improved monitoring and transparency.
When questioned about developments at Nasir Bagh, the Lahore Development Authority’s (LDA) counsel informed the court that only 11 kanals of land were being used, not the entire garden.
Justice Shahid Karim rejected the justification, stating that Nasir Bagh’s historical significance required heightened sensitivity from the government.
He directed the Environmental Department to take action against all violators and asked the Advocate General to take a special interest in the matter of Nasir Bagh. He noted that previous projects had already caused irreversible damage to the historical city’s heritage.
Questioning the rationale behind selecting Nasir Bagh for an underground parking project, the judge observed that while much of the city has already undergone unchecked development, Nasir Bagh should have been spared.
Citizens told the court they remained unconvinced by LDA’s explanations, though the authority maintained that only a small portion of the garden was affected and that replanted trees were healthy.
The court said the Old Tollinton Market parking project had already been halted. He directed LDA to involve independent consultants and civil society members in future planning.
He observed that vehicular emissions remain a major contributor to air pollution and directed the Environmental Protection Department to continue action against heavy vehicles. The court adjourned further hearing of the case until December 26, 2025.
