DERA GHAZI KHAN: The Fort Munro Development Authority has issued notices to the owners of illegal residential colonies and land grabbers of government land in the only hill station of south Punjab in tehsil Takht Sulaiman of district Dera Ghazi Khan to stop illegal constructions.

The British colonial rule established the hill station on mountain Anari Mol in Tuman Leghari in Sulaiman Range and gave it a new name - Fort Munro - after the name of the last decade of the 19th century Multan commissioner Col Munro.

The mushroom growth of illegal housing colonies and illegal construction on government land have badly affected the environment of the hill station by creating sewerage and waste management problems.

Notices issued to owners of illegal colonies, land grabbers

The lake at Tirmu garden and the garden have vanished while the Lake Dames is dying due to increasing contamination. Once, it was home to colourful fish. Unplanned constructions in the catchment areas of both lakes have cut the sources of rainwater to the lakes.

Sources told Dawn Fort Munro Development Authority issued notices to more than 15 illegal residential colonies and notices to 600 land grabbers in Fort Munro.

Land grabbers have grabbed 44 government-owned plots in Fort Munro established by the Punjab Housing Authority.

Deputy Director Muhammad Sajjad told reporters that without seeking permission from departments concerned, including the Fort Munro Development Authority, illegal constructions had badly damaged environment of the hill station.

Published in Dawn, September 5th, 2019