As Punjab enters the new financial year, the Punjab Horticulture Authority (PHA) plans to focus on the horticultural upkeep of parks and green spaces to enhance the province’s green cover and beautify its urban landscape.
New districts to be key focus for PHA park development
LAHORE, Jul 01 (APP): As Punjab enters the new financial year, the Punjab Horticulture Authority (PHA) plans to focus on the horticultural upkeep of parks and green spaces to enhance the province’s green cover and beautify its urban landscape.
Newly added districts will be a key focus, as the authority works to improve existing parks and create new ones in cities that came under its jurisdiction after the provincial body’s creation last year, said Additional Director General Mirza Waleed Baig, chairing a meeting of district managing directors.
The newly formed agencies operate in Jhang, Rahim Yar Khan, Khushab, Nankana Sahib, Sheikhupura, Okara, Gujrat, Jhelum, Murree, Khanewal and Muzaffargarh.
District agencies will also hold dedicated plantation drives this fiscal year to increase the province’s tree cover, Mr Baig said, recalling that PHA recently rolled out tree protection regulations to safeguard Punjab’s green cover.
Under the regulations, a province-wide Geographic Information System (GIS) will be developed to create a detailed inventory of urban trees, enabling real-time mapping, tracking and monitoring for planning and conservation purposes.
The authority will also appoint dedicated tree officers to inspect trees, maintain digital records, process applications, oversee replanting and enforce compliance, Mr Baig said, adding that violations carry penalties of up to one year in prison, a fine of up to Rs500,000, or both.
Besides horticulture, PHA is also working on landscape beautification in cities including Multan, Gujranwala, Lahore and Faisalabad, having installed colourful lights, wall décor, paintings and tall ornamental structures.
