PHA to expand parks and green cover

PHA to expand parks and green cover

LAHORE: The Punjab Horticulture Authority (PHA) has decided to accelerate the development of parks and expand tree cover in 11 districts recently added to its jurisdiction.

PHA Director General Ahmad Usman Javaid announced the decision during a meeting held after he took charge of his post on Friday. The expansion has increased the authority’s coverage from 10 to 21 districts across Punjab.

The newly included districts include Rahim Yar Khan, Muzaffargarh, Khushab and Nankana Sahib. Officials told the meeting that these areas need dedicated development projects to bring their parks and green spaces up to the standards of districts that have been under PHA supervision for a longer period.

Javaid directed district agencies to survey available public land and identify suitable locations for new parks during the current financial year. He also called for development plans to improve existing parks and create more attractive public spaces.

Officials said new parks are already being developed in cities including Sargodha, Multan, Faisalabad and Rawalpindi. The projects include facilities such as walking tracks, children’s play areas and larger plantation zones.

Javaid said improving public parks and expanding urban green spaces in the newly added districts would remain a key priority for the authority during the current financial year. He instructed district agencies to prepare and implement development schemes without delay.

He also ordered officials to expand ongoing monsoon plantation campaigns across Punjab. The PHA chief stressed the importance of planting native and environmentally suitable species, including Neem, Sheesham and Peepal, to ensure long-term benefits for the environment.

The meeting was further informed about the PHA’s recently introduced tree protection regulations. Under the new system, the authority is developing a province-wide GIS-based inventory of urban trees to map, monitor and protect them more effectively.

The PHA plans to appoint dedicated tree officers who will inspect trees, maintain digital records, process applications, monitor compensatory plantation and help enforce the new regulations.

Under the regulations, violations may result in imprisonment of up to one year, a fine of up to Rs500,000, or both, reflecting the authority’s efforts to strengthen the protection of Punjab’s urban trees.