In earlier times, people would differentiate Lahore from the southern parts of the country on the basis of its lush green plains and dense tree plantations however, as greenery continues to be replaced by fancy constructions, the day is not far when insufferable temperatures will force locals to evacuate the land of concrete.
As per data obtained by The Express Tribune, the temperature of the city is three to four degrees higher than the nearby rural areas, while during the next 50 years, the average temperature in the city is predicted to increase by 4.7 degrees Celsius in summers and 5.2 degrees Celsius in winters. In May 2024, Lahore's average temperature was recorded at 49 degrees Celsius.
According to a report published by the Urban Unit Punjab, in the year 2000, the concrete area in the city was 438 square kilometers, which has expanded to 759 square kilometers over the past 20 years.
Similarly, the greenery, which covered 1,550 hectares of land in 2001, decreased to 1,298 hectares in 2022. Furthermore, Lahore's agricultural area has decreased by 287 square kilometers in the same time frame.
Experts are of the opinion that the alarming changes can be attributed to the rapidly decreasing green spaces in the city, which are no longer protecting the area and its inhabitants from environmental pollution, extreme heat, and health problems. Environmental protection lawyer, Altamas Saeed opined that cutting trees and replacing greenery with concrete jungles had not only increased air pollution but had also worsened smog and heat intensity.
"Due to the lack of greenery, respiratory diseases and mental stress are common among the locals, while the environment is also suffering thanks to increasing temperatures. The destruction of natural habitats has also endangered wildlife, while the beauty and tourism of Lahore are also being negatively affected," highlighted Saeed.
Over the past three months, air pollution levels in different parts of Lahore have been alarmingly high. In November 2024, the city's average air quality index was recorded at 625, making Lahore one of the most polluted cities in the world. In December 2024, the average AQI reached 521, while in some areas the level was recorded at 916. At the end of the same month, the city's average AQI was 329, with Raiwind Road recording the highest at 578.
To add to the worrying climate crisis, there are currently around 400 small and big housing societies in the city, of which around 271 are illegal or partially violating the laws. According to sources, many green areas including Kahna, Barki, Wagah, Bedian have been converted into concrete jungles with the connivance of the authorities, who are allowing the construction of these new societies.
Dr Salman Tariq from the Department of Environment at the University of Punjab explained that trees and vegetation absorbed carbon dioxide and produced oxygen. "Air pollution, especially smog, is on the rise due to reduced green areas in Lahore. Green areas naturally balance temperatures, but their depletion is creating the Urban Heat Island effect, which is increasing the intensity of heat. Trees absorb rainwater and prevent soil erosion. Therefore, deforestation is also increasing the possibility of flooding," said Dr Tariq.
Hence, experts have warned that the loss of trees and greenery can annihilate the natural habitat of birds, butterflies, and other animals, due to which their populations will decrease. Therefore, they have suggested that trees should be planted on a large scale, while strict laws should be made to protect parks and greenery, and concretization should be limited. Unfortunately, if the destruction of greenery is not halted, the city will become uninhabitable for the future generations.
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