Punjab to develop biodiversity corridors for climate resilience

• PHA writs to MDs all district horticulture agencies, directing them to begin planting native tree species

 LAHORE: District agencies under the Punjab Horticulture Authority (PHA) will establish dedicated biodiversity corridors in their respective cities to protect climate and natural habitats, Director General Raja Mansoor Ahmad announced Sunday.

A biodiversity corridor refers to a strip of plants, hedgerows or unmown land that links isolated patches of natural habitat. These corridors allow wildlife, pollinators, and insects to move freely through gardens and parks, and are increasingly used in horticulture to repair the damage caused by habitat fragmentation.

In planning and policy frameworks, such corridors are considered a key conservation tool, helping balance development needs with environmental protection. They also support essential ecosystem services, including pollination, water regulation, and soil conservation.

To this end, PHA has written to the managing directors of all district horticulture agencies, directing them to begin planting native tree species — including sheesham, shahtoot, and bargad — to increase green cover and create nesting habitats for local wildlife.

District horticulture agencies will also launch landscaping projects to develop new green spaces across their cities. As part of these initiatives, shady trees will be planted near bus stops, and waiting areas will be equipped with water coolers and fans powered by solar energy to minimise operational costs.

Additionally, district agencies will engage students from local schools and colleges in climate awareness campaigns. Educational institutions will also be encouraged to organise voluntary plantation drives to help reduce their carbon footprint.

Mr Ahmad said that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif was committed to addressing smog and tackling broader air pollution challenges across the province. He added that this commitment was being translated into practical, on-ground measures aimed at improving air quality and strengthening environmental management.

He also stressed the urgency of scaling up such interventions, noting that climate pressures require timely and sustained action. “We have a responsibility not only to respond to current environmental challenges but to take proactive steps that safeguard the future,” he said. “Our goal must be to ensure that coming generations inherit a cleaner, healthier, and more liveable environment.”