QUETTA   -  The Balochistan High Court (BHC) has sought a report from the people at the helm of affairs who failed to protect wildlife and forests in Kalat division of the province. Filing a petition on behalf of Lasbela Civil Society in the matter, Advocate Supreme Court Talat Whaeed Khan has made the secretary Forest and Wildlife Department, chief conservator Forest and Wildlife Department, conservator Forest and Wildlife Department Kalat division at Khuzdar, deputy conservator Forest and Wildlife Department Lasbela at Uthal, Range Forest Office, Hub, Winder, Uthal and Bela, deputy commissioner Lasbela at Uthal and district police officer Lasbela at Uthal as respondents. Appearing before a divisional bench of the BHC comprising Chief Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Abdul Hameed Baloch, Advocate Talat Waheed Khan contended that Lasbela district of Kalat division has natural grown forest trees around the rainwater channels. He informed the court that the respondents are responsible to grow and protect trees in the vicinity but the officers and staff of forest department were illegally involved in cutting green trees and transfer of the same through truck loads towards Quetta and Karachi. Substantiating his claim, the petitioner’s counsel Advocate Talat Whaeed Khan alleged district administration was issuing permit and rahdaris for the purpose without considering the rules and regulations. The counsel further apprised the bench that his client Lasbela Civil Society raised voice while running from pillar to post but the respondents failed to perform their duties as they didn’t pay heed to protect the forest trees and taking action against timber mafia. He further submitted that the federal and Balochistan governments announced a scheme for Green Pakistan/Green Balochistan for plantation of trees but the respondents have not planted trees in the district except some flowers on the roadsides. He informed the court that Lasbela district has industrial zones including Hub, Gaddani, Winder, Uthal besides hundreds of national and international factories chain, adding such factories were discharging environmental affecting agents on the earth and in the air creating pollution. The counsel prayed the court to issue directives to the respondents to pay their duties in securing the forest trees, wildlife and fundamental rights of community in the large interest of justice. After brief hearing of the matter, the bench issued directives to all the respondents to submit a comprehensive report in the matter. 

The court also asked Advocates Tahir Baloch of Panjgur, Zahoor Baloch of Turbat, Muhammad Ali Rakhshani, Aminullah Kakar and Mohibullah to submit report pertaining to current status of forest tree cutting and wildlife protection in their areas during next hearing of the matter on October 10.