Sherry Rehman takes notice of cement plant proposed in nature preserve.

ISLAMABAD -- Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman on Saturday took notice of the proposal for Limestone Lease and installation of 10,000 tons per day (Tpd) Cement Plant by Lucky Cement Private Limited, in the area declared as 'Salt Range Nature Reserve Complex' in Tehsil Choa Saidan Shah, District Chakwal.

According to press release, she said, 'Blasting and quarrying of raw materials by the proposed cement plant threaten the ecology of this rich biodiversity.

In addition, there is fear amongst local farmers, inhabitants and protectors of these forests that the proposed plant in addition to the five cement plants that already exist in the district are fast-depleting underground water sources that this rain-fed region desperately relies on, thus, making the area water-scarce.'

She added that according to notification issued by Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries department of Government of Punjab on April 29, 2022, the area was home to natural reserves of 1,200 acres of Ara Reserve Forest, Parera Reserve Forest and Diljabba Reserve Forest holding a variety unique of flora and fauna.

Activities such as hunting wild animals, felling or tapping of trees, clearing land for cultivation and mining is strictly prohibited by law under Section 8 of the Punjab Protected Areas Act 2020...