PHA orders city-specific plantation across Punjab

PHA orders city-specific plantation across Punjab

LAHORE: The Punjab Horticulture Authority (PHA) has directed district horticulture agencies across the province to develop plantation plans tailored to local climate, soil conditions and urban landscaping requirements.

PHA Director General Ahmad Usman Javaid announced the policy during a virtual meeting with managing directors of district agencies on Wednesday. He said the authority would prioritise indigenous and climate-suitable species, including Amaltas, Neem and Bougainvillea, to improve urban greenery.

The authority also plans to plant bamboo along selected drainage corridors, where its dense root system can help hold soil together, stabilise embankments and reduce erosion.

Javaid said the new strategy would replace the uniform plantation model with city-specific planning. District agencies will select suitable plants based on local weather, soil quality, water availability, urban infrastructure and landscaping needs.

He added that the initiative aligns with Punjab’s urban forestry policy and the provincial government’s efforts to develop climate-resilient green spaces.

On the instructions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, district agencies will prepare monthly plans for planting seasonal flowers. The PHA will also establish nurseries in cities to provide plants to the public at affordable prices and support plantation campaigns and seasonal floral displays.

Javaid directed the agencies’ managing directors to introduce key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess officials’ performance and monitor progress against targets. These indicators will cover plantation activities, park maintenance, the upkeep of public spaces and the timely completion of development projects.

The authority will also introduce uniform planters and flowerpots along roads, footpaths and green belts across Punjab’s cities to create a more consistent appearance in urban landscapes.

The PHA has recently completed its annual monsoon plantation campaign. Javaid said the rainy season provides favourable conditions for planting because sufficient moisture helps young saplings establish their roots. The campaign prioritised locally suitable, shade-providing tree varieties.

He stressed that the authority aims to make plantation a permanent part of urban planning rather than a seasonal exercise. He said officials must focus not only on planting saplings but also on ensuring their survival through regular watering, maintenance and monitoring.