WEBDESK: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced a complete ban on tree cutting and timber auctions across the province.
According to official reports, the Chief Minister has put an end to the traditional system of auctioning forest wood, which often led to illegal logging under the guise of sales. For the first time in Punjab’s history, timber auctions have been formally abolished.
The provincial government has issued a notification, declaring that all tree cutting and timber auctions are prohibited with immediate effect. New and transparent rules will now be developed using modern technology and mapping systems.
Authorities revealed that the auction process in the past allowed trees to be cut down mercilessly, with profits filling only a few pockets. The heads of the Forest, Wildlife, and Fisheries Departments have been instructed to strictly enforce the new order.
Maryam Nawaz stressed that the decision was taken to protect forests, promote wildlife, and prevent soil erosion. She highlighted that the policy would play a crucial role in environmental protection, tackling climate change, and safeguarding natural resources.
On the other hand India has released a significant amount of water on Wednesday, causing the River Chenab to once again reach high flood levels at Marala Headworks. The release of water from upstream has also caused the River Sutlej to swell to dangerous levels.
The Indian High Commission in Islamabad issued two flood alerts within a few hours. The first alert came at 4am, warning of water release into the Chenab. A second alert followed at 8am, notifying Pakistan about water being released into the Sutlej at Harike and Firozpur. This came after a high flood alert for the Tavi River was issued on Tuesday evening.
Read more: Live Updates: Punjab flood situation
