LAHORE: The Punjab Horticulture Authority will establish nurseries in every city of the province to supply plants to the public at affordable prices, Director General Ahmad Usman Javaid announced on Sunday.
Addressing a virtual meeting of district agencies’ managing directors, the DG said the nurseries would support plantation drives and seasonal floral displays, making it easier and cheaper for residents to take part in greening their cities.
City-specific planting plans
District horticulture agencies across Punjab will tailor plantation plans to local conditions, including climate, soil, and the landscape design needs of individual cities, Javaid said.
Indigenous species such as Amaltas, Neem and Bougainvillea will get priority. The agencies would also plant bamboo near selected drainage corridors, where its dense root network will help bind soil and stabilise embankments, potentially reducing erosion.
Amaltas, with its yellow flower clusters, suits avenues, parks and green belts, while Bougainvillea suits hedges and medians. Both plants are suitable for Punjab’s sunny climate and ornamental landscaping, Javaid noted.
The strategy replaces a uniform plantation model with city-specific landscaping, the director general said. Agencies will choose plants according to local climate, soil, water availability, urban infrastructure and landscape requirements.
The approach is also consistent with Punjab’s urban-forestry policy, which favours species selection based on local conditions, and with the provincial government’s push for climate-resilient green spaces, he added.
Monthly flower plans and uniform look
On the direction of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, district agencies will prepare monthly plans for planting seasonal flowers. The PHA will also place uniform planters and flowerpots along roads, footpaths and green belts in all cities, giving urban landscaping a consistent look.
Javaid also directed the managing directors to develop key performance indicators (KPIs) to gauge officials’ performance and progress against targets. The KPIs will cover plantation programmes, the upkeep of parks and public spaces, and the timely completion of development projects.
From seasonal to sustained
The department has recently completed its annual monsoon plantation drive. Monsoon is the ideal season for plantation as abundant rainfall helps young saplings establish deep roots quickly. Preference was given to local, shade-giving varieties, Javaid said.
“The broader objective is to make plantation a sustained part of urban planning rather than a seasonal activity. This requires not only planting saplings but also ensuring their survival through appropriate watering, maintenance and monitoring,” he added.
That survival question matters. Punjab’s plantation record has long been weakened by saplings that die for lack of care, and the province continues to face climate pressure — from the monsoon toll of 65 dead and 382 injured this season to the recurring winter smog that drives school closures and health warnings.
City-specific species selection, affordable public nurseries and performance tracking together point to a more durable model — if the watering and maintenance the DG emphasised actually follow the planting.
