LAHORE: A meeting was held here to discuss the status of tree plantation in parts of the province.

The meeting, chaired by Begum Zakia Shahnawaz, Minister for Environment, discussed tree plantation in Lahore and the future plans of the Forest Department and the PHA.

EPA (EDH) Punjab Director Nasimur Rehman highlighted the importance of tree plantation and requested participants to communicate their achievements, efforts and future plans in this regard. He stressed that even though the Millennium Development Goals had a target of minimum six per cent forest cover in Punjab by 2015, the current forest cover of Punjab is only 4.7pc.

He said there should be plantation of fruit and Neem trees and all departments must collaborate to address the issue of climate change.

PHA Lahore Director General Shakeel Ahmad said there was no space available on roadsides for tree plantation in the city. During 2013 to 2018, about 125,946 trees had been planted in Lahore and more trees of a minimum height of six to seven feet were also being planted. Secondly, he said, advertisements were being published in local newspapers, of some local plant species that were free of cost. “Locals have also sent in their applications for tree plantation which have been admitted by the PHA.”

He said the PHA had selected Bela Forest near Chuhng for tree plantation.

Ejaz Ahmed, DFO, WP-II, Forest Department, Lahore stated that two campaigns were in the pipeline by the department and trees were being planted along provincial roads.

He said in Chhanga Manga forest, the cutting of trees had been strictly banned and drastic action taken against violators.

LCCI’s Tehmina Saeed Chaudhry stated that ‘Adoptive Tree Concept’ must be introduced by the government at school level. Further she insisted on plantation of indigenous plant species only. She said she was helping direct all industrial estates to take ownership of their pollution and take mitigation measures. They have announced Green Award for tree plantation in industries and industrial estates.

Mustafa Kamal, Group Director, Horticulture Group, suggested that a monitoring system must be constituted. Best tree species must be listed and guidelines for size, type and distance from two trees must be provided in policy documents.

Dr Masood Arshad, Director Climate Change, WWF Pakistan, stated that forest tree species should not be moved to any other place.

The minister appreciated the working of the PHA and said only tree plantation could control current temperature conditions.

She suggested that meetings must be arranged with KP, Balochistan and Sindh forest departments to enhance plantation at a national level. She said the federal government had allocated Rs3.64 billion for tree plantation.

It was decided that Punjab would ensure extensive tree plantation throughout major points in the province especially along canals.

Published in Dawn, April 7th, 2018