1. A Citizen Sparks Legal Action
A concerned citizen petitioned the Sindh High Court (SHC), accusing authorities of illegal deforestation along Sharea Faisal. The petitioner claims hundreds of decades-old trees are being felled without environmental clearance.
2. Government & SEPA Defend Their Actions
The Sindh government and Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) told the court that replacement trees are being planted. They acknowledged environmental risks and promised corrective steps.
3. SHC’s Firm Stance on Tree Removal
The court previously ruled that no tree in Sindh may be cut without explicit permission from the competent authority and sessions judge, and that relocation should be prioritized.
4. Allegations of Large-Scale Deforestation
The petitioner’s counsel argued that the cutting is extensive, happening under official watch or through contractors, in breach of laws and prior judicial pronouncements.
5. Climate at Stake
Removing mature trees along a major Karachi thoroughfare during an era of heatwaves could worsen the city’s already severe climate challenges.
