Areas identified for forestation

LAHORE: Administration had identified areas in City for dense forestation on different locations both in large chunks and small patches.

This was revealed by Commissioner Lahore Dr Mujtaba Piracha while chairing a meeting here Thursday regarding afforestation. The meeting was attended by Adviser to Prime Minister on Environment Malik Ameen Aslam, members of civil society and senior officers.

“Under the vision of Prime Minister, no stone would be left unturned for nature regeneration through clean and green drive of the Punjab government. We have had detailed and vast experience in KP of afforestation and massive tree plantation under the tag of billion tree Tsunami. If someone plants a sampling in Swabi, actually he is doing that for the whole world. Think global, act local. In KP, we got real success only when we involved the local community in forestation and made their participation as a source of income for them. Come forward with a viable framework of tree plantation in Lahore and Lahore model would be implemented in other cities of Punjab. There is need of comprehensive urban afforestation to curb pollution, keep environment friendly, control smog and make beautiful look of our all cities.”

Malik Ameen Aslam, PM’s Adviser on climate change, appreciated the initiative of Commissioner Lahore Division and the support of civil society organisations for afforestation planning. He said that the federal government would provide maximum support and help during the campaign.

Dr Mujtaba Piracha briefed the participants about the initiative and steps being taken for dense urban forestation with the support of civil society organisations based on comprehensive elements; the location, site, soil fertility, overall impact and sustainability. The commissioner stated that the office of Commissioner Lahore was not only providing a platform to donors and civil society but also supervising the coordinated venture to ensure the uniformity of forestation strategy and make the drive a sustainable. He said that administration had identified areas in Lahore City for dense forestation on different locations both in large chunks and small patches.

seminar: Punjab University’s Institute of Social and Cultural Studies (ISCS) Director Prof Dr Rubeena Zakar has said that efforts should be made to make the digital world a safer place where females do not feel threatened. She was addressing a seminar on cyber harassment against women in accordance with the resolution number 101/19 of Provincial Assembly of Punjab. The guest speakers Zaina Durrani and Shumaila Khan from Digital Rights Foundation, faculty members and students attended the seminar.

projects: A briefing on foreign-funded projects was held at the planning and development board, government of Punjab.

Minister Finance Hashim Jawan Bakth and Punjab Chief Secretary Yousaf Naseem Khokhar chaired the meeting. P&D Chairman Habibur-Rehman Gillani, Secretary Finance Hamid Yakoob Sheikh, P&D Secretary Iftikhar Ali Sahoo and other secretaries concerned attended the meeting. The briefing was held to keep track of the physical and financial progress and to identify and manage highlights issues or bottlenecks if any. The minister finance and the chief secretary appreciated progress in certain areas and emphasised on the importance of timely monitoring and completion of all project related tasks.

schemes: Lahore Deputy Commissioner Saleha Saeed approved 19 development schemes at a cost of Rs177million of local government and community development, Tepa and Wasa.