Lahore: In a major step toward improving urban sustainability, the Punjab government has launched a USD 22 million urban forestation project targeting five key areas of Lahore. The initiative, approved by the Finance Assessment Committee, will focus on transforming Adda Plot, Johar Town, Sundar, Jallo, and Bata Pur into environmentally sustainable green spaces.
The Punjab Housing Authority (PHA) has been tasked with preparing detailed concept papers for submission to the Green Climate Fund, which will partly finance the project. The Punjab government is contributing 10% of the total cost, while the remainder will be covered by international partners under the climate financing framework.
According to environmental officials, this is just the beginning of a broader green initiative. Over 200 additional zones across the city have been earmarked for future development into forested or green areas. Special focus will be placed on more than 65 traffic-congested hotspots that suffer from high levels of air pollution due to vehicular emissions.
Officials stated that native tree species will be used for these afforestation efforts, ensuring the longevity and ecological harmony of the green belts. This approach is aimed at improving Lahore’s overall air quality and mitigating the health hazards posed by rising pollution levels.
By targeting high-traffic areas and densely populated localities, the project also seeks to address urban heat island effects, reduce smog intensity, and provide residents with improved public health outcomes and recreational spaces.
The government hopes the project will not only restore Lahore’s dwindling green cover but also serve as a model for climate-resilient urban development across the province.
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