Stumps of Silence: RTI Request on Mardan Sports Complex Tree Felling Mired in Delay

musarrat ullah jan -

 

Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa –  The recent felling of trees at the Mardan Sports Complex has sparked public concern, compounded by a significant delay in responding to a Right to Information (RTI) request seeking details about the project.  A Peshawar-based journalist filed the RTI application on January 8, 2025, requesting crucial information about the environmental impact and legality of the tree removal.  However, as of February 17, 2025, the 15-day legal deadline for a response has passed without any communication from the relevant authorities.

The RTI application specifically requests the following information:

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Confirmation of whether an EIA was conducted before the Mardan Sports Complex improvement project commenced.

Tree Felling Details: The precise number of trees felled, their species, and any plans for compensatory replanting.

Legal Status: All relevant permits and environmental clearances obtained for the project.

Public Consultation: Details of any public consultations held prior to the project's start.

Project Cost and Funding: A breakdown of the project's total cost and its funding sources.

Frustrated by the lack of response, the journalist sent a reminder letter on February 17, 2025, reiterating the urgent need for the requested information.  The letter warns that if the information is not provided immediately, the matter will be escalated to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Commission, other relevant authorities, and the judiciary.

The silence surrounding the RTI request has fueled public anxiety.  Residents are increasingly concerned about the environmental consequences of the tree felling and the transparency of the project.  They are demanding that the authorities provide the requested information promptly to allow for public scrutiny of the project's impact and its adherence to environmental regulations.  The delayed response to the RTI request has raised questions about potential irregularities and further eroded public trust in the project's management.  The stumps of the felled trees now stand as a stark reminder of the information gap and the ongoing struggle for transparency in local development projects.

#Mardan #SportsComplex #KPK #KP #Environment #SportsIssues #EnvironmentalConcerns #TreeFelling #RTI #RightToInformation #Transparency #PublicAccountability #MardanSports #KPGovernment #InformationDelay #EnvironmentalImpact #Justice #Pakistan #KhyberPakhtunkhwa

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