‘Green cover’ drive to curb smog expedited

The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) of Lahore has embarked on an ambitious tree-planting campaign throughout the provincial metropolis to combat air pollution ahead of arrival of winter, when a noxious smog blankets the city of gardens.

Environmental pollution is an annual concern for Lahore, with a substantial concentration of tiny airborne particles posing a risk to residents, particularly in October and November.

As part of its initiative to reduce airborne dust, the authorities advise people to adopt a healthy lifestyle. The seasonal burning of crop waste, coupled with lower temperatures, prolongs the presence of pollutants in the air.

To address this issue well in advance, the PHA decided earlier this year to expand Lahore's green cover by planting half-a-million trees.

According to a spokesperson, it had planted 0.25 million trees to date. Just last week, they conducted three tree plantation drives in Gajju Matta, Khayaban-e-Jinnah and Kamahan village, planting thousands of saplings.

On the direction of the PHA Director-General, Muhammad Tahir Wattoo, the PHA placed a special focus on planting trees with a high capacity to reduce pollutants, such as the Norway maple and Largeleaf linden.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 18^th, 2023.