LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has stressed the need for agricultural research and the use of modern technology to combat desertification and drought.
Reaffirming her commitment to environmental protection, land restoration and water conservation, the chief minister, in her message on the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, said the observance aims to raise public awareness about land degradation, declining soil fertility and the devastating impacts of drought.
She said the Punjab government was taking practical measures to address drought through improved agricultural practices, efficient water management and efforts to mitigate climate change. Small dams and ponds were being constructed across the province to enhance water storage capacity, she added.
The CM Punjab said special funds had been allocated to make barren lands cultivable in areas such as Cholistan and Thal. Campaigns to plant trees in desert regions and promote the cultivation of crops such as olives were also under way. “Drought poses a major threat to agriculture and food security,” she said, adding that highlighting the importance of afforestation to curb environmental pollution and transform barren lands into green landscapes was the need of the hour.
The chief minister said state-of-the-art equipment, including thermal sensors, was being used for the protection of forests and monitoring of wildlife. She emphasised that international cooperation was essential for restoring degraded lands and addressing the challenges posed by water scarcity.
She noted that fertile lands across the world were turning into deserts due to climate change and human activities. Under the Resilient and Inclusive Agriculture Transformation (PRIAT) programme, the government was improving water conveyance systems and installing new High Efficiency Irrigation Systems (HEIS) powered by solar energy.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026