Lahore: The Punjab government has launched an extensive plantation and environmental protection drive under the ‘Friends of Forest’ initiative, aiming to expand green cover, promote eco-tourism, and strengthen forest protection through modern monitoring systems.
The campaign was inaugurated at Jallo by Parliamentary Secretary for Forests Kanwal Liaqat. As part of the Chief Minister’s Plant for Pakistan Initiative, over 51 million trees will be planted on 50,869 acres. Additionally, 1.37 million saplings are being cultivated on 3,790 acres of forest wasteland through the CM Agroforestry Initiative. The Green Pakistan Programme has also been expanded, targeting 466 million trees across 251,000 acres, while five million trees are set to be planted along 10,223 avenue miles of canal banks.
Eco-tourism is being prioritised, with new facilities planned at Lal Suhanra National Park and the Salt Range. A LEED-certified eco-friendly complex is also under construction to accommodate visitors and staff. Supporting infrastructure includes wireless networks, GPS devices, CCTV surveillance, and digital monitoring systems.
To protect hilly regions from natural hazards, the Shielding Summits Programme is being rolled out in Murree and Kahuta. The initiative includes the hiring of 600 fire watchers, deployment of fire vehicles, construction of watchtowers, restoration of forest tracks, and building of water tanks to safeguard natural springs.
The Forest Department has adopted technology-driven solutions for monitoring, including a GIS-based system that integrates drones, satellites, and LiDAR to detect wildfires and encroachments early. Tree inventories are being digitised, while forestry operations are being accelerated with new machinery. A network of 104 command and control centres now provides round-the-clock vigilance across the province.
Forest DG Azfar Zia said the innovations would significantly strengthen real-time protection and management. Environmental expert Dr Salman Tariq welcomed the ambitious plan but cautioned against plantation drives in inundated areas during floods, warning that saplings could be washed away without proper rooting. He suggested that such drives be delayed until floodwaters recede.
Officials say the initiative reflects the Punjab government’s commitment to environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and the promotion of eco-friendly tourism.
Samra Zulfiqar, a real estate analyst at Zameen.com, is passionate about finding projects that offer buyers the best returns. Her keen insights spotlight the market’s most promising opportunities.
