Punjab Government Launches “Plant Trees, Make Money” Initiative

Lahore: In a bid to combat environmental pollution, the Punjab government has initiated several measures to improve air quality in Lahore. Under the directives of the government, the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) has begun a major afforestation campaign.
PHA Director General Tahir Wattoo announced that approximately 3 billion trees will be planted around Lahore to create a green belt, with nurseries already cultivating the required plants. The target is to achieve this goal over the next five years.
Next year, a target of 25 million trees has been set, and the seedlings are currently being raised in nurseries. By the end of next year, these saplings will be planted in designated areas as they mature.
Wattoo also mentioned that to further reduce smog, the Punjab government is introducing a financial incentive program that will reward citizens for planting trees. Planning for this initiative is underway, with implementation expected to begin soon.
Additionally, a Green Master Plan has been developed for Lahore, aiming to increase the city’s green coverage from the current 5% to over 12%.