LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday directed the Punjab government to submit a report on the conversion of cotton-growing areas into sugarcane plantations.

Hearing petitions about government’s failure to control smog, Chief Justice-designate Mamoon Rashid Sheikh observed with a great concern that cotton-growing areas had been converted into sugarcane plantations resulting in depletion of underground water level.

The judge further observed that Pakistan was going to face water crisis due to vested interest of sugar barons.

The judge summoned heads of the Lahore Development Authority and Parks and Horticulture Authority on next hearing to apprise the court of precautionary measures taken in plantation of trees in Lahore.

Earlier, a law officer told the court that motor vehicular emission regulations had been formulated and on next hearing a report would be submitted regarding its execution.

He stated the chief minister and his cabinet were conducting a meeting on the implementation of smog policy and closure of brick kilns which failed to convert on zigzag technology.

Justice Sheikh directed the government to take all measures regarding plantation of trees and implement its forest policy. The judge observed that the government should take all possible steps to implement judgments of superior courts regarding plantation of trees.

He also sought reports on implementation of environment laws and international treaties namely UN climate change convention 1992 and Paris Agreement 2015.

Representing the petitioners, advocates Sheraz Zaka and Azhar Siddique questioned the failure on the part of the government to take timely steps to control smog and other environmental hazards.

The judge adjourned hearing till Dec 27 and sought a report about pollution and environment degradation in Sahiwal due to coal power plant.

Published in Dawn, December 20th, 2019