Close to nature: A trip inside the wild and wonderful world of Changa Manga

Parts of the man-made forest have been developed into a recreation park .

LAHORE/ KARACHI: Revealing several shades of nature’s beauty and existing with all its glory, the Changa Manga Forest has been serving as a source of entertainment and amusement to the people for many decades. Bike trips, camping and cycling tours are a regular feature for adventure lovers, who throng the forest to enjoy every bit of the scenic facility. Besides, the visitors also have the opportunity to organise picnic trips that are arranged by the Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab throughout the year.

Located just 80 kilometres south-west of the city of Lahore, the forest is the largest man-made forest in Asia. It also hosts a wildlife park that covers an area of 40 acres which was built in 2008.



The forest hosts a wide variety of flora and fauna. Changa Manga is home to 14 species of mammals, 50 species of birds, six species of reptiles, two species of amphibians and 27 species of insects.

The forest was originally planted in 1866 by British foresters. Its trees were harvested to gather fuel and resources for the engines employed in the North-Western railway networks.

Road to fame

The name of the forest is derived from an amalgamation of the names of two brothers who were bandits, Changa and Manga. They were a constant source of terror for the residents of the districts in the 19th century as they would hold up and plunder any passing trader.

The robbers had a den in the secret heart of the forest where they sought shelter from the British peacekeepers. The robbers were eventually captured by the police and became the inspiration for the name of the forest site. Soon afterwards, The Salvation Army opened up a camp at the forest site as a place for reformation of criminals.

Earlier, parts of the forest were developed into a recreation park with a railroad that gives the visitor a 5-kilometre (3.1 mi) ride on a miniature train through the forest. Other attractions include a water turbine, a waterfall, a children’s play area, and Lunar Lake.



Interesting facts

• In February 2017, a tree plantation campaign was inaugurated in the forest. At least 7,300 saplings were planted over an area of 10 acres.

• On February 13, 2014, a massive fire broke out in Changa Manga that destroyed almost half the forest, including birds and animals.

• In 2014, the Punjab government held a Basant Festival in the forest.

• On June 30, 2012, a case was registered against 27 forest department officials by the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) over the pilferage of wood from the Changa Manga Forest. According to a report, around 3,000 acres of forest was cut down illegally.

• In 2005, World Wildlife Fund Pakistan launched a captive breeding programme at Changa Manga Forest aiming to secure a viable population of the white-backed vulture. Currently, there are 18 white-backed vultures in the facility.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 11^th, 2017.