LAHORE, Oct 14 (APP):Punjab Horticulture Authority (PHA) Director General Ahmad Usman Javaid on Wednesday directed district horticulture agencies across Punjab to adopt city-specific plantation plans based on local climate, soil conditions, water availability and landscaping requirements. Addressing a virtual meeting of managing directors of district agencies here, he said indigenous species, including Amaltas, Neem and Bougainvillea, would be prioritised to promote sustainable urban greenery and climate-resilient landscapes. He said bamboo …
PHA to establish nurseries in all cities, install uniform planters
LAHORE, Oct 14 (APP):Punjab Horticulture Authority (PHA) Director General Ahmad Usman Javaid on Wednesday directed district horticulture agencies across Punjab to adopt city-specific plantation plans based on local climate, soil conditions, water availability and landscaping requirements.
Addressing a virtual meeting of managing directors of district agencies here, he said indigenous species, including Amaltas, Neem and Bougainvillea, would be prioritised to promote sustainable urban greenery and climate-resilient landscapes.
He said bamboo would also be planted along selected drainage corridors to help stabilise embankments and reduce soil erosion through its dense root system. Amaltas would be preferred for avenues, parks and green belts, while Bougainvillea would be used for hedges and road medians.
The DG said the new strategy would replace the uniform plantation model with a customised approach, enabling each city to select plants according to its environmental conditions, urban infrastructure and landscaping needs.
On the directions of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, district agencies would prepare monthly plans for planting seasonal flowers. The PHA would also establish nurseries in every city to provide plants to the public at affordable prices for plantation campaigns and seasonal floral displays.
DG Ahmad Usman Javaid directed the managing directors to develop key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess officials’ performance and progress against assigned targets. These indicators would cover plantation activities, maintenance of parks and public spaces, and timely completion of development projects. He further announced that uniform planters and flowerpots would be installed along roads, footpaths and green belts across Punjab to create a consistent appearance in urban landscapes.
The DG said the authority had recently completed its annual monsoon plantation drive, during which preference was given to indigenous, shade-providing species. He noted that the monsoon season was particularly suitable for plantation because abundant rainfall helped young saplings establish their roots.
Emphasising the need for long-term sustainability, he said plantation should become an integral part of urban planning rather than remain a seasonal activity. He stressed that the survival of saplings required proper watering, regular maintenance and effective monitoring.
