The Punjab government has approved the expansion of its “Liquid Tree” initiative as part of a broader effort to tackle air pollution and promote environmentally friendly solutions through modern biotechnology. The project, overseen by the Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), aims to improve urban air quality using microalgae-based systems that absorb carbon dioxide.
According to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Pakistan’s first EPA-certified liquid tree will be relocated from Faisalabad to Lahore under the new expansion plan. She said the initiative represents a scientific approach to addressing growing environmental challenges, particularly in densely populated urban areas where conventional tree plantation is often limited by space constraints.
The liquid tree system uses biotechnology and more than 100 species of microalgae collected from different parts of the country, stretching from Karachi to Khyber. These microalgae naturally absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, offering an alternative method to help reduce pollution and improve air quality in heavily congested cities.
During the first phase of the expansion, liquid tree units will be installed in major shopping malls along with indoor and outdoor public spaces. Officials believe placing these systems in high-traffic commercial and recreational areas can help reduce the impact of urban emissions while also raising public awareness about innovative environmental solutions.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz described the project as a practical and science-driven response to increasing carbon emissions and persistent smog problems. She said the artificial tree systems could play an important role in creating cleaner and healthier urban environments, particularly in cities that struggle with poor air quality during certain times of the year.
The initiative is part of Punjab’s wider environmental strategy, which includes stronger pollution control measures. The EPA recently intensified its anti-pollution campaign by demolishing 36 fat-melting units, sealing six others, and registering cases against their owners. The agency has also expanded efforts to establish plastic-free zones, enforce a ban on plastic bags below 75 microns, and implement green buffer zones around industrial areas, alongside mandatory plantation drives and stricter regulations on tree cutting.
