The Upscaling of the Green Pakistan Program is a long-term environmental initiative aimed at reversing forest degradation and significantly enhancing tree cover across Punjab. The core objective of the program is to expand and sustainably manage forest resources in the public sector while promoting farm and social forestry to increase tree cover on private and agricultural lands. Given that Punjab has only 3.1% forest cover, the program focuses on reclamation, rehabilitation, and development of existing forests, along with the restoration of deteriorated roadside and canalside plantations to improve provincial environmental conditions. The initiative also emphasizes the role of trees in carbon sequestration, soil improvement, water conservation, and aquifer recharge—particularly in ecologically sensitive areas such as Potohar—thereby strengthening climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.
The final outcomes of the program include a substantial enhancement of forest cover, improved environmental resilience, and strengthened biodiversity conservation across diverse forest types and landscapes. Through large-scale afforestation, nursery development, and sustainable forest management, the program contributes directly to carbon sinking, improved soil health, increased water retention capacity, and long-term ecological stability. Collectively, these outcomes support national environmental priorities and ensure strong alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Total Project Cost: Rs. 13,187.629 million
Project Duration: 144 months (2016–17 to 2027–28)