Residents, farmers and conservationists oppose the proposed PERA training academy near Kallar Kahar, arguing that the project threatens fertile farmland, family homes and decades of wildlife conservation efforts.
A proposed Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA) training academy near Kallar Kahar has sparked growing concern among local residents, farmers and wildlife conservationists after authorities selected nearly 200 acres of fertile agricultural land for the multibillion-rupee project.
The Punjab government has allocated Rs6.786 billion for the academy, with Rs10 million reportedly released for the current financial year. The selected site lies along the Kallar Kahar-Talagang Road and includes cultivated farmland, residential properties, livestock facilities, private businesses and wildlife breeding farms.
The project has become a major source of uncertainty for families living in the area. According to local residents, nearly 20 families could face displacement following the recent demarcation of the proposed site by the Punjab Revenue Department.
Among those affected is 91-year-old Dost Muhammad, whose extended family of around 40 members has lived on the land for decades. The family recently halted construction of a cattle shed after officials marked the boundaries for the proposed acquisition.
Documents cited in media reports indicate that PERA requested the Chakwal deputy commissioner on June 9 to identify a suitable location in the scenic hills of Kallar Kahar for a training academy. District authorities subsequently identified approximately 1,568 kanals, or about 200 acres, for the project.
Residents argue that authorities overlooked the area’s agricultural importance despite the reported availability of alternative locations. Farmers say the land produces wheat and livestock fodder that supports their families throughout the year.
Local resident Raja Mohammad Farooq said his family purchased 24 kanals of land in 2018 and built homes using a Rs3 million loan obtained under a Punjab government housing scheme. He now fears those newly constructed houses could be demolished if the project proceeds.
Other residents, including small-scale farmers and livestock owners, say losing their land would severely affect their livelihoods. Business owners operating livestock farms and small industrial units have also expressed concerns about possible displacement.
The proposal has additionally alarmed wildlife experts. The selected area reportedly contains two wildlife breeding farms and serves as a habitat for species including Punjab urial, chinkara and partridge. Conservationists warn that decades of community-based conservation efforts could be undermined if construction moves forward.
Assistant Chief Wildlife Ranger Abid Hussain questioned the selection of a site that supports protected wildlife and breeding facilities, saying such a decision could damage long-term conservation work in the region.
Deputy Commissioner Chakwal Sara Hayat said the district administration had proposed three potential locations, but PERA ultimately selected the current site, adding that local authorities were required to follow directions from higher authorities.
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