In order to develop, maintain and maximize forest resources in a modern scientific, environmentally sustainable, ecologically stable and socially acceptable manner, the Punjab government has earmarked Rs 3.43 billion for the forest sector for the year 2019-20.
According to the official sources, the amount will be spent on 28 ongoing and four new schemes with an aim of rehabilitation of existing forest resources through afforestation/re-forestation, enhancing tree cover through promotion of social forestry and production of planting stock through establishment of potted and bed nurseries.
The new initiatives planned for the next financial year include launch of up scaled version of 'Green Pakistan Program Reclamation & Development of Forest Areas in Punjab' at a total cost of over Rs 15 billion and establishment of Dargai Gill Forest Park with a total expense of Rs 175 million.
The other new initiative includes conservation, propagation and promotion of neglected indigenous wild fruit tree species at a cost of Rs 100 million.