Farewell New Murree
The Punjab government has scrapped the controversial New Murree Development Scheme and dissolved the authority set up to manage it. The nightmare in which thousands of trees would be felled, the eco-system damaged and habitats destroyed amidst the alpine forests close to Murree, in order to set up a new resort there, has been dispelled. The decision has been welcomed by the WWF and other bodies. Despite a Supreme Court order against the building of New Murree, the threat remained that it could be revived.
The move to cancel the project is a part of an ongoing review of such schemes initiated under the previous PML-Q government in Punjab. Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, a few days ago, also announced the abandoning of an almost equally contentious plan to set up an IMAX cinema complex at a Lahore park. Instead, a new park and library is to be set up there. It may be noted the Karach-based 'Shehri' organization had gone to court on behalf of residents of the area against the IMAX project on the grounds that it violated the development plan for Lahore and was environmentally unfriendly. The court stayed the project.
The actions of the Shahbaz Sharif administration with regard to these two projects are welcome. It must not damage its pro-environment image in the future by drawing up other plans that envisage large scale tree felling. Such projects had been a part of development work under Shahbaz in the past. Indeed, he is accused of beginning the ugly process of denuding Lahore of its trees in order to build new roads and highways. This process has since continued. One must then hope the scrapping of two major projects reflects a new awareness of environmental needs that will also be mirrored in future decision-making with regard to development work carried out across the province.
Posted on: 22-June-2008
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Source: The News (http://www.thenews.com.pk)
The move to cancel the project is a part of an ongoing review of such schemes initiated under the previous PML-Q government in Punjab. Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, a few days ago, also announced the abandoning of an almost equally contentious plan to set up an IMAX cinema complex at a Lahore park. Instead, a new park and library is to be set up there. It may be noted the Karach-based 'Shehri' organization had gone to court on behalf of residents of the area against the IMAX project on the grounds that it violated the development plan for Lahore and was environmentally unfriendly. The court stayed the project.
The actions of the Shahbaz Sharif administration with regard to these two projects are welcome. It must not damage its pro-environment image in the future by drawing up other plans that envisage large scale tree felling. Such projects had been a part of development work under Shahbaz in the past. Indeed, he is accused of beginning the ugly process of denuding Lahore of its trees in order to build new roads and highways. This process has since continued. One must then hope the scrapping of two major projects reflects a new awareness of environmental needs that will also be mirrored in future decision-making with regard to development work carried out across the province.
Posted on: 22-June-2008
Share:
Source: The News (http://www.thenews.com.pk)
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