BAHAWALPUR, May 11: The public circles have expressed grave concern over ruthless felling of trees along the roads, canals and other places on different pretexts even by the government functionaries.

Mrs Katherine Abbasi, Society for Friends of Trees chairperson, protested against the felling of trees along Ahmadpur Road on the pretext of dualisation by the district government.

She told Dawn that the trees outside bungalows and houses should not be cut and auctioned as they were at a distance of five to 10 feet from the outer walls.

Mrs Abbasi said the irrigation department removed trees from service lanes along the roads.

She said there should be a proper check and officials should seek permission from the environment department before felling trees along canals.

She criticised cleaning of a forest on Karachi Road to build a lawyers’ colony. The forest belonged to the Punjab forest department and the chief minister announced development of colony.

She urged the people to come forward and launch a movement to save the trees. She said awareness should be created among the masses who should force the departments concerned to promote forests.