Authorities in South Punjab must protect wild pollinators and honeybees from pesticide use, habitat loss, and tree removal following directives from the Lahore High Court Multan Bench.
Advocate Altamush Saeed brought the petition pointing out dangers to pollinators from orchard clearing, mature tree removal, and pesticide application during flowering times, prompting the ruling on October 20, 2026.
Development projects in District Multan cannot cut down any mature tree or orchard without proper environmental clearance and authorization from the Multan Development Authority, according to the judicial directive.
Officials received instructions to publish a pesticide advisory safe for bees ahead of the upcoming flowering season.
Various government agencies must provide thorough documentation regarding pesticide regulation, habitat and tree preservation, native flowering trees, project environmental reviews, and scientific counts of pollinators.
Judicial officials stressed that these filings need to detail actual steps taken instead of offering mere policy commitments or promises.
Article 9A of the Constitution served as the legal basis in the petition, ensuring a clean, sustainable environment alongside rights concerning life, dignity, governance, and livelihood.
The legal proceedings will resume once the responsible departments file their documentation.
