Developing Strategies for Enhancing Forest Cover in Punjab

A two-day Planning Workshop titled “Developing Strategies for Enhancing Forest Cover in Punjab” was jointly organized by the Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries Department, Government of Punjab, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) on 8–9 September 2025 at the Grand Ball Hall, Pearl Continental Hotel, Lahore.

The workshop aimed to bring together experts, policymakers, academicians, and stakeholders to deliberate on innovative and sustainable strategies to enhance the forest cover in Punjab. The discussions focused on policy reforms, urban forestry, rangeland management, biodiversity conservation, and community-based approaches for effective forest resource management.

The Inaugural Ceremony was graced by Ms. Marriyum Aurangzeb, Senior Minister in the Government of Punjab and Mr. Muddassir Riaz Malik, Secretary, Forest, Wildlife & Fisheries Department, Government of Punjab. Both emphasized the importance of collective efforts and sustainable practices to address climate change challenges and ensure environmental security.

Ms. Sonal Chaudhary and Ms. Umara Shehzad from Department of Botany, represented Govt. Queen Mary Graduate College, Lahore, at the workshop. Both the faculty members actively engaged in the technical sessions and interactive group discussions. They also received certificates of participation in recognition of their valuable contribution to the workshop.

The workshop concluded with the formulation of key recommendations for policy, planning, and implementation frameworks to strengthen forest management in Punjab. The active involvement of academia highlighted the importance of research-based solutions in environmental policy-making.