Punjab has launched one of its largest environmental protection and plantation drives to date, combining massive tree plantation efforts with digital tools for smart forest monitoring and eco-tourism development. Under the directives of the Chief Minister, the initiative was formally inaugurated at Jallo by Parliamentary Secretary for Forests Kanwal Liaqat as part of the Friends of Forest programme. The campaign not only targets millions of new trees across the province but also integrates technology through digital surveillance, GIS mapping, drones, and real-time monitoring systems, placing the provincial Forest Department on a modernized footing.
The Chief Minister’s Plant for Pakistan Initiative envisions planting more than 51 million trees over 50,869 acres of land, while the CM Agroforestry Initiative is adding 1.37 million saplings on 3,790 acres of forest wasteland. Expanding further, the Green Pakistan Programme is targeting 466 million trees across 251,000 acres. In parallel, plantation along irrigation channels is underway, with projects covering 10,223 avenue miles and a goal of lining five million trees along canal banks. By embedding technology into these plantation drives, the government is ensuring that progress can be mapped, tracked, and evaluated in real time.
Beyond afforestation, Punjab is investing in digital-first eco-tourism. At Lal Suhanra National Park and the Salt Range, new facilities are being introduced with wireless networks, GPS-enabled navigation, CCTV cameras, and digital surveillance to support visitor safety and environmental management. A LEED-certified eco-friendly multi-storey complex is also under construction, providing modern facilities for staff and tourists while ensuring minimal ecological footprint. In Murree and Kahuta, the Shielding Summits Programme has been rolled out to counter natural hazards in mountainous areas through a combination of digital tools and infrastructure. This includes the deployment of 600 fire watchers, the use of fire response vehicles, construction of watch towers, and the building of water tanks for preserving natural springs.
A central pillar of this initiative is the introduction of a GIS-based protection system now fully operational across Punjab. Using drones, satellites, and LiDAR technology, the system enables instant detection of wildfires, illegal logging, and encroachments. Complementing this, a dedicated digital communication cell has been set up, while the monitoring and evaluation Wing has been upgraded with modern surveillance equipment and trained staff. Forestry operations are also being digitized through GIS-based surveys, digital numbering of trees, and inventories accessible for decision-making. To further enhance efficiency, the government has invested in new machinery to accelerate plantation and maintenance work across targeted zones. At present, 104 forest command and control centres are functional, serving as round-the-clock digital hubs for forest monitoring.
Environmental experts, however, have noted the challenges that come with such ambitious plantation targets. Dr Salman Tariq highlighted that while the monsoon season is ideal for tree planting, flood conditions present risks to saplings that may be submerged or uprooted before they establish strong roots. He cautioned that plantation drives in inundated areas may have to be delayed until water recedes, which could impact the timelines set by the Forest Department. Still, the integration of digital technology into forestry management and eco-tourism is widely seen as a leap forward in aligning environmental conservation with smart governance in Punjab.
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