LAHORE: It was an eyesore for many Lahorites on Tuesday when they noticed construction of a wall on the greenbelt along the historic city canal near the Punjab University New Campus, which is not only a violation of the Canal Heritage Park Act-2013, but also obstructs the beautiful view of the city’s only waterway.

The civil society, taking an exception to “mindless act” vehemently opposed the construction of wall, terming it an act against nature on the part of the government.

The construction of wall has been launched by the irrigation department along some stretches of the canal after it overflowed due to the recent heavy spells of torrential rain.

The overflow also forced the authorities to close the canal in a bid to avert the obstruction of traffic flow on canal road—Lahore’s longest and major signal-free artery connecting many city parts.“It is ridiculous to see the destruction the authorities are causing by constructing a wall along both sides (greenbelts/shoulders) of the canal at certain portions on the pretext of averting overflow. I just question the authorities have they any power to do such interventions in the design of the canal which is protected under the Canal Heritage Park Act-2013,” says Ajaz Anwar, president of the Lahore Conservation Society. “We will soon hold a protest demonstration in the city against this illogical civil work,” he adds.

According to Mr Anwar, also a known painter of the city’s heritage, the canal is the only source of natural beauty, which originates from the BRB Canal and runs parallel to the link canal road via main canal road. He says a large number of trees, greenbelts, water channels, shrubs etc along the canal provide a natural habitat to birds and other creatures, besides contributing to the environment of Lahore and being a source of natural beauty for the public.

“You can see children playing and swimming in the canal in hot weather. You can also see men and women walking along the both sides of the canal,” he says, criticising the government for constructing the wall that will obstruct the canal’s beautiful view.

To a question, Mr Anwar says the slight overflow of the canal neither damaged the road infrastructure nor the nearby houses. “I think, the authorities, on this pretext, have planned to loot (the public money) by giving contract to someone close to them,” he alleged.

Talking to Dawn, Mr Raheem Ul Haq, a civil society activist, says the constructing of wall along the canal banks is a serious issue that must be taken up by the government with immediate effect. “Canal is a rich source of both tangible and intangible heritage. And both shouldn’t change. Therefore, the construction of the wall is a devastating act, that must be stopped immediately,” he stressed.

According to Mr Jawaid Ahmad, another civil society activist, since the canal has been declared as protected heritage, the construction of wall along its certain portions will not only hinder the view, but also affect the natural habitat of birds and other animals.

“It is an illegal act for which no one got permission from the advisory committee that has been constituted to look into such affairs,” he added.

According to Canal Heritage Act’s preamble, ..”since the Lahore canal and the greenbelts on its both sides are a public trust, as well as a part of the heritage of the city of Lahore, it is expedient to make provisions for the maintenance of a salubrious environment and conservation of the Lahore Canal as a heritage park to preserve the flora and fauna of this heritage and to provide for ancillary matters.”

Under the act, “an advisory committee has been assigned the task to maintain the Heritage Park, and in particular for purposes of preparation of the canal trees master and management plans, canal trees inventory system, formulation of policies regarding preservation, protection and conservation of the Heritage Park, provision and promotion of entertainment and recreational facilities and facilitation of the people visiting the place, supervise and monitor the implementation of the policies approved by the Government, launch awareness campaigns regarding preservation and conservation of the Heritage Park, ensure co-operation with public authorities, educational bodies and other organisations and persons to achieve the objectives of the Act and raise funds for the maintenance of the Heritage Park.”

Under the act, “if a person contravenes or attempts to contravene any provision of the Act, [he/she] shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one year and not more than five years, or with fine which shall not be less than Rs30,000 and not more than 50,000, or with both, and the weapon, vehicle or any other article used in such contravention shall stand forfeited to the government.

“The penalty for the abetment of an offence under the Act shall be the same as for the offence. No Court shall take cognizance of an offence under the Act except on a complaint in writing from an officer or authority authorised for the purpose by the Government,” reads the act. Lahore irrigation executive engineer was not available for comments despite phone calls and text messages by this reporter.

Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2023