The Punjab government has kicked off a massive afforestation and eco-tourism programme under the directives of the Chief Minister, marking a significant step toward combating climate change and improving the province’s green cover.
The initiative, formally inaugurated at Jallo by Parliamentary Secretary for Forests Kanwal Liaqat. This falls under the Friends of Forest programme.
The chief minister’s major plan is the plantation of more than 51 million trees on 50,869 acres in Punjab. Alongside this, the Agroforestry Initiative is also under process, adding another 1.37 million saplings on 3,790 acres of forest wasteland.
The government has also taken step to enhance or widen the scope of the Green Pakistan Programme, and this program is meant to target an ambitious 466 million trees on 251,000 acres. Five million additional trees are going to be placed adjacent to the irrigation channels, and this is covering over 10,000 avenue miles.
But this campaign is not only about trees—it’s also all about masses. Modern facilities are being introduced at Lal Suhanra National Park and the Salt Range, including wireless networks, GPS devices, CCTV cameras, and digital surveillance systems. This is all done to boost eco-tourism. A LEED-certified eco-friendly complex is also under construction to serve the staff and visitors.
Read more: Punjab rolls out Hawk Eye project for real-time pollution monitoring by drones
To safeguard fragile hilly ecosystems in Murree and Kahuta, the Shielding Summits Programme is being launched. It will recruit 600 fire watchers, deploy fire vehicles, restore forest tracks, and build water tanks to preserve natural springs.
The Forest Department is embracing technology too. With GIS-based systems, drones, satellites, and LiDAR, forest officers can now have the potential to detect wildfires and encroachments instantly. A digital communication cell and 104 command and control centres are already operational for round-the-clock vigilance.
Environmental experts, however, caution against challenges. Dr Salman Tariq pointed out that while monsoon is the best season for planting, ongoing floods pose risks. “Saplings submerged in floodwater or without strong roots may not survive,” he claimed, adding that drives in inundated areas will have to wait until waters recede.
Punjab’s ambitious drive is clearly depicting a clear vision despite facing many problems: greener forests, stronger ecosystems, and new opportunities for eco-tourism in the province.