A 150-year-old banyan tree, considered part of Lahore’s historical and natural heritage, has been cut down in the Cantonment area at a time when the city is already battling hazardous levels of smog, drawing outrage from environmentalists and residents alike.

Locals said the sprawling tree had long provided shade, shelter to hundreds of birds, and fresh oxygen to the area.

“It was a lush, thriving tree with deep roots that breathed life into the air,” one resident remarked.

Environmental experts condemned the felling, warning that such actions in a pollution-choked city like Lahore would only worsen the situation.

“Every mature tree in Lahore is invaluable; its ecological contribution cannot be replaced by any new plantation drive,” an expert noted.

They said the destruction of the century-and-a-half-old banyan was not just an environmental loss but also a blow to Lahore’s historical identity, urging authorities to ensure stronger protection for old and heritage trees across the city.