Lahore, (PR) : Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has taken stern notice of the illegal cutting of trees in Lal Suhanra National Park in Bahawalpur. This action comes in response to complaints and evidence of the illegal felling of more than six dozen precious and rare trees.
On her direction, 11 officials including a grade-20 chief conservator have been transferred back to their departments. In connection with this matter, a team from the anti-corruption establishment, as well as the secretary of forests, have reached Bahawalpur to probe the matter. The investigative team will conduct a thorough inquiry into the types of trees, their total numbers, the individuals involved, and other factors to curb this menace in the future.
In a statement released today, Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb made it clear that strict legal action will be taken against officers and officials involved in the illegal cutting, sale, and wildlife in the forest.
According to the notifications of the Punjab government, the services of Chief Conservator Khalid Mahmood have been surrendered to his parent department. Similarly, the services of grade-19 Conservator Mansoor Ahmad and grade-18 DFO Nadeem Ashraf have also been surrendered to their administrative department.
Among the officials transferred back to Lahore are RFO Hamad Raza of Grade 16, Mumtaz Hussain; Muhammad Saeed (Grade 11), and grade-9 officials including Muhammad Shafique, Sohail Anwar, Naveed Akhtar, Sajjad Ahmad and Arif Niazi.
It’s noteworthy that the Lal Suhanra National Park, situated 35 kilometers east of Bahawalpur, spans an impressive 127,480 acres. Designated by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve, the park is integral to the conservation of forests and wildlife, thereby earning its place on the global conservation list. Distinguished by its diverse landscape, including deserts, forests, lakes, rivers, and marshlands, the park serves as a crucial ecosystem.
Moreover, it boasts remnants of the ancient Indus Valley civilization and is home to a plethora of rare wildlife species.
