PHA targets greener Punjab with parks, plantation push

 LAHORE: As Punjab enters the new financial year, the Punjab Horticulture Authority (PHA) is set to expand its efforts to enhance the province’s green cover and beautify urban areas by prioritising the horticultural upkeep of parks and green spaces, with a special focus on newly added districts that came under its jurisdiction last year.

Newly added districts will be a key focus, as the authority works to improve existing parks and create new ones in cities that came under its jurisdiction after the provincial body’s creation last year, Additional Director General Mirza Waleed Baig said while chairing a meeting of district managing directors.

The newly formed agencies operate in Jhang, Rahim Yar Khan, Khushab, Nankana Sahib, Sheikhupura, Okara, Gujrat, Jhelum, Murree, Khanewal and Muzaffargarh.

District agencies will also hold dedicated plantation drives during the current fiscal year to increase the province's tree cover, Mr Baig said, recalling that the PHA recently rolled out tree protection regulations to safeguard Punjab's green assets.

Under the regulations, a province-wide Geographic Information System (GIS) will be developed to create a comprehensive inventory of urban trees, enabling real-time mapping, tracking and monitoring to support planning and conservation efforts.

The authority will also appoint dedicated tree officers to inspect trees, maintain digital records, process applications, oversee replanting and enforce compliance, Mr Baig said, adding that violations carry penalties of up to one year in prison, a fine of up to Rs500,000, or both.

Besides horticulture, the PHA is also carrying out urban landscape beautification projects in cities including Multan, Gujranwala, Lahore and Faisalabad, where it has installed colourful lighting, wall décor, paintings and ornamental structures, he added.