The Punjab government has approved a major Punjab afforestation project aimed at expanding forest cover across southern districts, including Dera Ghazi Khan and surrounding areas, as part of its environmental protection strategy.
Officials said the Punjab afforestation project will focus on developing unused forest land in the DG Khan Forest Circle. The initiative includes plantation work worth Rs2.5 billion on around 7,249 acres of vacant land across the province.
The government said the plan is designed to reduce environmental pollution, tackle rising temperatures, and address the growing impact of climate change. Authorities also hope the project will help protect riverine forest areas from encroachments through immediate plantation activity.
According to officials, the DG Khan Forest Circle holds nearly 57 percent of Punjab’s riverine forests, making it a key region for the program. Plantation work will be carried out in Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Muzaffargarh, Layyah, and Kot Addu under the initiative.
The project also includes the installation of solar-powered tube wells to improve irrigation for newly planted trees. Authorities plan to plant local species such as shisham, kikar, neem, beri, and mulberry to ensure better survival in regional conditions.
Officials said the Punjab afforestation project aims to increase carbon storage, reduce smog intensity, and lower the effects of rising heat across the province. The initiative is also expected to strengthen ecological balance and promote long-term environmental sustainability.
The government believes the expansion of forest areas in southern Punjab will play an important role in climate resilience and natural resource conservation in the coming years.