Punjab’s Forest Department has reclaimed 1,984.62 acres of forest land worth approximately Rs9.008 billion from encroachment and illegal occupation over the past two years, according to departmental reports.
The recovery drive covered all three forest zones of Punjab, with the Southern Zone accounting for the largest share at 1,500.43 acres. Major recoveries were reported in Lal Suhanra, Muzaffargarh, Sialkot, Multan and Sheikhupura/Nankana, among other areas.
Alongside the land recovery campaign, the department has expanded its forest restoration efforts. More than 50 million trees were planted across 50,869 acres during the same period through block, roadside, canalside, railway-side, peri-urban and urban plantation projects.
The department has also introduced technology-based monitoring to protect forest resources. More than 33.74 million trees have been geo-tagged, while a digital forest inventory covering around 810,000 acres has been developed.
Satellite imagery, drones, GIS mapping and artificial intelligence-based systems are being used to monitor forests, detect encroachments and identify fire risks.
Officials have also reported improvements in fire management, particularly in areas such as Murree and Kahuta. The Forest Department says drone surveillance and thermal sensors are helping detect fires and protect forest assets.
The latest measures are part of Punjab’s wider effort to restore degraded land, increase tree cover and strengthen long-term forest management across the province.
