Protecting Nature’s Treasure: Plantation Efforts in Margalla Hills National Park

Stone crushing activities had been carried out in the Margalla Forest near Taxila since the 1980s. In 2020, the Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered the suspension of these activities in Human Rights Case No. 318 of 1993 and directed that plantation efforts be undertaken to restore the affected forest area.

On the directions of the Worthy Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif and the Senior
Minister Punjab, Maryam Aurangzeb, a comprehensive campaign for the restoration of the
Margalla forest ecosystem has been launched by the Punjab Forest Department.

As the forest has been severely degraded due to prolonged stone crushing activities, a phased and systematic
approach will be adopted for its rehabilitation. Restoration efforts will be implemented consistently
to ensure long-term ecological recovery.

During the current Spring Tree Plantation Campaign, about 500,000 plants will be planted
in the affected portion of Margalla Forest. Regular plantation events will be organized in this forest
and a mega event will be arranged on Internation day of forests (21st March) during current year.
Overall, Two million plants will be grown during current Spring Tree Plantation Campaign in
Rawalpindi Murree and Kahuta Districts.

In addition, on the directions of the Chief Minister Punjab and the Senior Minister Punjab,
a new initiative will be launched to plant fruit-bearing trees on private lands with the active
participation of local communities—particularly women. This initiative aims to provide social and
economic support and to strengthen women in the rural areas of Murree, Kahuta, Kotli Sattian
and Rawalpindi.

Furthermore, the Chief Minister Punjab and the Senior Minister Punjab have directed that
youth be actively engaged in these green initiatives so that they may serve as ambassadors for
the Government of Punjab’s environmental and sustainability efforts

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