Environmentalists in Fazilka are concerned that new trees are being planted in Pathankot and Amritsar instead of locally, despite the recent felling of over 14,000 trees for highway widening. They argue that Fazilka has available land for new plantations and that the National Highways Authority of India has deposited Rs 68 crore for tree cutting. Activists question the government's claim of no available space in Fazilka for new saplings.