Director General Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) Lahore, Muhammad Tahir Wattoo has said that the authority has cleared illegal encroachments along the Sattukatla drain to restore the greenbelt. In a statement issued on Thursday, he said that the day-long operation resulted in removal of several temporary residential and commercial setups along the drain, which also passes through the upscale neighborhood of Model Town. Muhammad Tahir Wattoo said that during the drive, the PHA staff cleared a 1.5-km stretch from Peco Road to Al-Karim Chowk, following several warnings to encroachers to vacate the premises, which they did not heed.

He said that the PHA following the clearance started horticultural work along the drain, planting a variety of seasonal flowers to enhance the area’s aesthetic appeal. He said the department also plans to plant native trees along the drain, contributing to the increase of Lahore’s green cover. Following the cleanup campaign, the department will launch a public awareness initiative to sensitize the community on the importance of cleanliness, the DG added. Meanwhile, Muhammad Tahir Wattoo also instructed directors to implement a comprehensive strategy for removing encroachments citywide and to establish an effective monitoring system in each zone.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan