Plantation drive launched

Schoolchildren, volunteers and forest officials have planted trees of native species on 14 acres of land in Karol Forest.

According to a statement, a citizen from Pakpattan, Ghulam Rasool, has donated 10,000 saplings to fight smog and promote urban greenery. "I grew up in soil where trees were part of every household. This donation is my tribute to that land and its people," he said on the occasion.

Provincial Parliamentary Secretary for Environment Kanwal Liaqat remarked that tree-planting is not just about greenery but about "rebuilding the lost connection between humans and nature".

Punjab Forests Director General Azfar Zia said the department directly managed only 3.1 per cent of the province's land area.

"Real change will come when the remaining 97 per cent owned by farmers and the private sector is brought under tree cover," he said.

The official said the forest department would be responsible for the maintenance of the newly planted trees.