March 03, 2007	Saturday	Safar 13, 1428

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LAHORE, March 2: The Punjab Environment Tribunal has directed the chief secretary to supervise steps to prevent disposal of sewerage and effluent in the canal personally and submit a detailed report on it.

The tribunal gave the directions during the hearing of the Eco Watch Trust complaint against pollution of the canal here on Friday.

It disapproved the practice of seeking time for controlling the pollution due to mismanagement and lack of coordination between the agencies and departments.

The remarks were given by the tribunal after the complainant’s counsel pointed out that the chief secretary had been directed to submit a comprehensive report on the steps being taken for controlling the pollution on the last date of hearing several months ago, but it has not yet been submitted.

The representative of Environment Protection Agency pointed out that the Water and Sanitation Agency had promised to submit a report on the steps but continued seeking time for it.

Parks and Horticulture Authority director-general Irfan Ali briefed the tribunal on the efforts being made by the PHA for checking the canal pollution.

He said the PHA was making all possible efforts to prevent the felling of trees along the roads and the canal. It had also started transplanting trees to prevent their felling.

The tribunal observed that the PHA should ensure protection of trees by transplanting them or planting a new sapling near the spot from where they were proposed to be removed in accordance with the internationally recognised manner. It, however, expressed concern over the construction of PHA offices in public parks and ordered discontinuation of the practice.