LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has prevented planting of palm trees along Highways and Motorways.
Justice Shahid Karim reserve the verdict while hearing petitions, filed by Haroon Farooq and others against ineffective measures for controlling smog. During the proceedings, the Environment Protection Department (EPD) director general appeared before the court and submitted that palm trees were ineffective barriers against pollution, adding that they did not prove successful on Islamabad motorways and highways.
The court expressed concern over the standard of decoration work carried out in underpasses of the city canal. The court said an investigation was needed into the project. The court said someone must have made money in the ‘beautification’ project of the underpasses.
The court noted that the condition of underpasses was more peculiar than before and they appeared to be hilarious.
The court also pointed out those bizarre lights had been installed in the underpasses, which were turned off on the first day of inauguration. The court remarked that investigations would reveal who made the money in the project.
The director general of the environment protection department stated that date palms were not helpful in controlling air pollution.
He said these trees were usually grown in warm weather areas. He said planting these trees on Lahore-Islamabad motorway and other highways had not been successful.
The court after hearing the DG environment issued a restraining order accordingly.
A member of a judicial commission told the court that one-year time was required for installing meters on water connections. The member further said the government would provide electric bikes to 10,000 students as a measure to control air pollution
