SC seeks KP govt report on felling of Shisham trees in Mardan

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought a comprehensive report from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on the illegal felling of precious Shisham trees (Indian rosewood) in Mardan. The court also sought a complete record of the forest department’s budget for the past five years.

A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, heard the appeal of Meher Badshah against his dismissal from the forest department.

The court upheld the dismissal and fines imposed on Meher Badshah, a regional officer of the forest department in Mardan, KP, for his alleged involvement in the illegal cutting of Shisham trees in the region.

During the hearing, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa said that forest department employees involved in illegal tree cutting should be removed from service. He further noted that deforestation, often facilitated by collusion, has been increasing, leading to severe consequences such as floods and landslides.

The court directed the KP government to submit a detailed report on the illegal felling of trees, including information on how many forest department employees are currently employed. The government was also instructed to provide details on the number of trees that have been illegally cut down, both with and without the permission of the provincial government, over the past five years.

Additionally, the court sought information on forest growth over the last five years, along with details of the forest department’s budget during this period.

Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa remarked that deforestation is contributing to adverse climate change effects and reiterated the need for strict action against those involved in illegal tree cutting.

The court adjourned the hearing for a month, directing the KP government to submit a comprehensive report.