Marriyum takes action against tree cutting in Lal Suhanra Park

LAHORE: Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has taken notice of the illegal cutting of trees in Lal Suhanra National Park in Bahawalpur.

This action comes in response to complaints and evidence of the illegal felling of more than six dozen precious and rare trees. Upon her direction, 11 officials, including a grade-20 chief conservator, have been transferred back to their departments.

In connection with this matter, a team from the anti-corruption establishment, as well as the secretary of forests, has reached Bahawalpur to probe the issue. The investigative team will conduct a thorough inquiry into the types of trees, their total numbers, the individuals involved, and other factors to curb this menace in the future. In a statement released Friday, Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb made it clear that strict legal action will be taken against officers and officials involved in the illegal cutting, sale, and wildlife exploitation in the forest.

According to notifications from the Punjab government, the services of Chief Conservator Khalid Mahmood have been surrendered to his parent department. Similarly, the services of grade-19 Conservator Mansoor Ahmad and grade-18 DFO Nadeem Ashraf have also been surrendered to their administrative departments. Among the officials transferred back to Lahore are RFO Hamad Raza of Grade 16, Mumtaz Hussain, Muhammad Saeed (Grade 11), and Grade-9 officials including Muhammad Shafique, Sohail Anwar, Naveed Akhtar, Sajjad Ahmad, and Arif Niazi.

Lal Suhanra National Park, situated 35 kilometres east of Bahawalpur, spans an impressive 127,480 acres. Designated by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve, the park is integral to the conservation of forests and wildlife, thereby earning its place on the global conservation list. Distinguished by its diverse landscape, including deserts, forests, lakes, rivers, and marshlands, the park serves as a crucial ecosystem. Moreover, it boasts remnants of the ancient Indus Valley civilisation and is home to a plethora of rare wildlife species.