KARACHI: The Sindh High Court has dismissed a petition filed against cutting down old trees, demolishing animal enclosures and carrying out construction activities on the premises of the Karachi Zoo.

A two-judge constitutional bench comprising Justice Mohammad Saleem Jessar and Justice Nisar Ahmed Bhanbhro observed that the petitioner had failed to point out any illegality, irregularity or mala fide in the construction activities being carried out within the premises of the Karachi Zoological Garden.

Citing the chief secretary, Karachi mayor, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, senior director of Karachi Zoo and others as respondents, petitioner Ali Abbas approached the SHC last month and pleaded to declare cutting trees, demolishing enclosures and ongoing construction activities within the premises of Karachi Zoo as illegal.

He sought directives for respondents to restore the original status of the Karachi Zoo, including restoration of demolished animal enclosures and plantation.

The counsel for the petitioner argued that the cutting of old and mature trees had resulted in adverse environmental consequences, affecting the ecological balance of the zoo and also causing detriment to health and welfare of the animals as well as the general public visiting the premises.

An additional advocate general of Sindh and counsel for the KMC and other respondents asserted that the construction activities in question were being undertaken solely with the objective of upgrading and improving the facilities within the Karachi Zoo.

They also contended that such development work was aimed at enhancing the living conditions of animals housed in the zoo as well as facilitating the public visiting the recreational facility.

They further argued that during the course of construction activities, certain trees were admittedly felled, but the same was stated to have been done as part of development and recreational planning of the area.

The bench in its order said that the counsel for respondents along with a provincial law officer had categorically assured it that no wrongful or unauthorised act had been committed within the premises of the zoo and adequate steps would be taken for plantation/replantation of a substantial number of trees upon completion of the construction work.

The order also said, “In view of the submissions made by the learned counsel, it appears that the KMC, being the custodian and managing authority of the Karachi Zoo, is undertaking necessary repair, rehabilitation and up-gradation works within the premises. It has been explained that the ongoing construction forms part of a broader and structured plan for the modernisation and rehabilitation of the Zoo infrastructure.”

It further stated that the plan was aimed at improving and upgrading the existing facilities including provision of better and more appropriate enclosures for animals, enhancement of environmental and living standards within the zoo and development of improved recreational and visitor facilities in line with contemporary standards of zoological management and public utility infrastructure.

“Since the overall objective of the project is not only infrastructural improvement but also the welfare of animals and facilitation of the visiting public, while ensuring that any environmental impact arising from the construction activities is duly mitigated through appropriate replantation and other remedial measures in accordance with law,” the bench noted.

It also observed that the petitioner had failed to point out any illegality, irregularity or mala fide in the construction activities being carried out within the premises of the zoo and therefore, dismissed the petition.

Published in Dawn, May 13th, 2026