Punjab Forest Department has decided to launch work on the creation of five new national parks in the province during the coming financial year.
Allocations for the projects are reportedly included in the provincial budget proposals. The establishment of the five new national parks under the Green Pakistan Programme of the prime minister and chief minister of Punjab is estimated to cost Rs978.78 million. The creation of new parks in addition to the normal expenditure of the department and ongoing development projects has reportedly been included in the budget.
The forest department has included in the budget proposals the establishment of Pubi, Khairi Murat, Lal Sohanra, Salt Range and Chinji national parks. According to the department’s officials, the establishment of the national parks will begin during next financial year and be completed in 2024.
The department will pay special attention to the 10 billion tree project during the year and the work on it will be carried on with the support of the federal government.
The officials said fruit and shade trees will also be planted along major highways, including Lahore Ring Road and Lahore-Sialkot Motorway during the coming year.
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The scope of Miyawaki forests scheme will be extended to other cities. For this purpose, the forest department will seek the services of the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) and the highways, wildlife and other departments of the province to pursue the aim of making the province green.
A national park is an area that is a natural habitat for various species of wildlife. Along with planting more trees, efforts will also be made to increase wildlife breeding with the help of the department concerned.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 14th, 2021.
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