PHA plants 2.3m saplings in two years

DG says the authority plans to plant 51 urban forests in Lahore

LAHORE:

The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) Director General (DG) Jawad Ahmed Qureshi has said that the authority had planted around 2.3 million trees and saplings in the provincial capital over the course of two years.

He highlighted that PHA was working on multiple projects to extend green belts, maintain parks and playgrounds of the city.

“PHA had planted the city’s first urban forest inspired by the Miyawaki method in Shadman Market Park in which around 9,000 various types of flora were planted,” the director general enunciated.

He remarked that with this Japanese Miyawaki technique plant growth is 10 times faster than that of the normal plant and these saplings would grow into trees in the forthcoming few months.

Jawad Ahmed Qureshi asserted that around 51 urban forests using the Miyawaki method would be planted in the city to tackle the immense environment challenges.

While giving details regarding the performance of the department over a span of two years, he said all the major parks of the provincial capital including Jillani Park (Race Course Park), Bagh-e-Jinnah, Greater Iqbal Parks, Jallo Botanical Garden and Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park were equipped with latest recreational facilities for the visitors.

“The Butterfly House was established in the Board of Revenue Society near Johar Town with a low budget and large number of youth particularly children visit it daily to feel closer to nature.”

He maintained that five species of butterflies, some of them from northern areas, were housed in the one of its kind facility in the province.

The DG added that PHA has set up a mini ‘Fruit Garden’ where various types of fruit trees including java plum, mango, grapefruit, orange, mulberry, and berry have been planted.

“These fruit trees have turned the environment pleasant for residents as well as for the birds,” he claimed.

He also revealed that besides maintaining all the small and large public parks of the city, the authority has established a selfie point for the visitors of Jillani Park which flaunts a background saying “I Love Lahore.”

Parks and Horticulture Authority DG said that during the last two years the department had also arranged mega fireworks at the Greater Iqbal Park to celebrate the Independence Day and had organised a ‘Spring Festival’ to entertain the residents as well as tourists.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 8^th, 2020.