BAHAWALPUR, May 15: About 19,000 trees owned by the Forest department likely to face the axe for the construction of a lawyers colony. The chief minister announced the construction of the colony in March on 100 acres of the forest department land on Karachi Morr.

The forest was developed in 1931 and now it has trees worth millions of rupees. The forest department had opposed the development of the colony here.

Public circles and NGO Friends of Trees have expressed concern over the reported plan of felling these trees which may cause environment pollution.