Punjab proposes Rs9bn for forestry, environment protection deptts

LAHORE: The Punjab government has proposed to allocate a sum of Rs9 billion collectively for the forestry and environment protection departments for the year 2021-22 as development budgets (Rs4 billion for forestry & Rs5 billion for environment protection).

Budget documents reveal that slightly over Rs3 billion have been proposed for 6 ongoing schemes of the forest department while around 1 billion has been allocated for 14 new schemes.

Some of the important projects under new schemes include tree planting along ROW Ghazi Barotha Hydro project, establishment of Kundian Forest Park (Mianwali), Bhakkar Forest Park, establishment of strategic planning unit of forestry, wildlife and fisheries department and installation of surveillance cameras and communication system for the protection of Changa Manga Forest Park.

Punjab Minister for forests Sibtain Khan while talking to media after the budget session said that ten billion tree programme and establishment of forests parks will be the priority projects during the next season. He said that efforts will also be made to meet the tree plantation targets.

Meanwhile, under Environment & Climate Change, over Rs373 million have been proposed for 5 ongoing schemes while Rs2.675 billion has been allocated for 7 new schemes while Rs1.951 billion has been set aside under Other Development Programme (ODP). The important environment department's new schemes include working for enhanced water quality monitoring system in Punjab, launching of E-environmental governance initiative, restructuring and capacity building of environment protection department and other related agencies and establishment of environmental monitoring center.

Provincial Minister for Environmental Protection Department Muhammad Rizwan said huge allocation to environment department will help improving the environmental management in the province, promote green investment, increase environmental awareness, improve monitoring system, improve environmental quality, improve the capabilities of provincial. Also various measures will be taken to promote research and development, prevent pollution and ensure environmentally friendly technology in the private sector.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021