Punjab has begun formulating its long-term Forest Vision 2050, aiming to prioritise forest conservation and ecological balance rather than treating forests solely as a source of timber. The initiative seeks to make forests a central pillar in tackling climate change and strengthening ecological resilience.
To draft this vision, the Punjab Forest Department has partnered with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which organised a two-day planning workshop in Lahore. The event brought together national and international experts, government officials, academics, and community representatives to contribute proposals.
Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb inaugurated the opening session alongside IUCN Asia’s Dr. Satrio Adi Wicaksono, US-based expert Dr. Javed Ahmed, Punjab Forest Secretary Mudassir Riaz Malik, and IUCN Pakistan Country Representative Mahmood Akhtar Cheema.
Experts unanimously warned that without immediate action, Punjab would continue to face severe climate-related threats, including devastating floods and prolonged droughts. They recommended models such as urban forestry, agroforestry, community-based plantations, and carbon credit forestry as viable solutions.
Mahmood Akhtar Cheema of IUCN Pakistan stressed the role of technology in expanding forest cover. “IUCN stands ready to transfer its global expertise to Pakistan, and Punjab’s efforts in this direction are commendable,” he said, adding that no forestry plan can succeed without community participation. He further noted that Punjab’s recent conservation efforts in forestry and wildlife had produced results “beyond expectations.”
She highlighted that the Punjab government, under the chief minister’s leadership, is pursuing a comprehensive environmental policy.
She underscored initiatives such as the Clean Punjab campaign, plantation drives, renewable energy programmes, environmental funds, and air pollution mitigation measures as key steps toward a greener province.
Punjab Forest Secretary Mudassir Riaz Malik pointed out that while the province spans more than 50 million acres, the forest department controls only 1.65 million acres, of which just 1.25 million acres are forested. “The remaining land lies under private ownership.
Without public participation, expansion of forest cover will not be possible,” he said. He also cited the successful wildlife census and the Plant for Pakistan campaign as examples of effective collaboration with IUCN.
Asim Jamal, manager of the Green Pakistan Programme, added that a consortium led by IUCN Pakistan is currently preparing policy research that will serve as the foundation for Forest Vision 2050.
Environmentalists at the workshop reiterated the ecological benefits of trees, noting that forests reduce flood impacts by binding soil, recharge groundwater through rainwater absorption, and mitigate air pollution.
They stressed the need for urban green belts, agroforestry on agricultural land, and community-led plantations in rural areas.
Experts also highlighted the economic potential of forest products such as honey, fruits, and timber for rural livelihoods, while wildlife specialists warned that shrinking forests were destroying habitats of endangered species.
Participants concluded that if implemented effectively, Forest Vision 2050 could not only expand Punjab’s forest cover but also establish the province as a model for climate adaptation and ecological resilience.
