In a significant step towards environmental protection, the Punjab government has initiated a large-scale tree plantation campaign under the “Chief Minister Plant for Pakistan” initiative. The ambitious plan aims to plant trees over 48,368 acres of land, with a target of 42.5 million saplings under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
Senior Minister of Punjab, Maryam Aurangzeb, announced that for the fiscal year 2024-25, the government plans to plant 7.361 million trees across 8,496 acres of land. A budget of 1.8 billion rupees has been allocated, with 60% of the funds already spent to push the project forward. During the spring season alone, 5.966 million trees will be planted on 6,637 acres of land, contributing to the greening of various districts, including Lahore, Kasur, Gujranwala, and Murree.
Also Read: Punjab Introduces Major Changes to Vehicle Registration Rules!
The campaign includes the plantation of diverse tree species such as Moringa, Pine, Neem, and fruit-bearing trees. These trees are expected to help reduce air pollution while also enhancing the natural beauty of the province. So far, 2.73 million saplings have been successfully planted across 4,000 acres, as the project progresses towards its ultimate goal.
Additionally, the Punjab government is establishing Parks and Horticulture Authorities (PHA) at the district level to further bolster the campaign. The PHAs will focus on renovating existing parks, creating new green spaces, and addressing smog pollution. These efforts are part of a larger vision to create a “Green Punjab,” with billions of rupees in funding directed towards this initiative.
The establishment of district-level PHAs will bypass traditional administrative structures, directly operating under the Punjab government. These authorities are tasked with maintaining parks, expanding green belts, and improving the environment across the province, particularly in smog-prone areas.
