Faisalabad’s Green Crisis: Citizen Initiatives and Challenges in Urban Tree Planting
This summer has set new temperature records across Faisalabad and the rest of the country. In response, a growing number of citizens have recognized the importance of trees in combating rising temperatures, turning their attention to tree planting initiatives.
Tree Plantation Efforts Face Setbacks from Local Authorities
Many individuals have donated saplings to Faisalabad’s Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA), hoping to increase the city’s greenery and ensure the proper care of newly planted trees. Among these civic-minded citizens is Tahir Mehmood Sheikh, who began collecting donations from friends and acquaintances to purchase saplings even before the onset of the monsoon season.
Tahir explains that he sourced around 4,000 saplings, each standing four to five feet tall, from nurseries in Pattoki and handed them over to PHA officials for planting along the green belt on Mansoorabad Road. However, despite the entire monsoon season passing, not a single sapling has been planted. “These saplings were bought after prior consultation and agreement with PHA officials,” Tahir states. “But when they arrived in Faisalabad, the authorities suddenly raised an objection, demanding saplings at least eight feet tall.”
Tahir and his friends personally appealed to the PHA officials, requesting them to plant the saplings they had donated, but their pleas were dismissed. “I spent hundreds thousands of rupees procuring these saplings, which are now rotting away in Bagh-e-Jinnah,” he laments. “I am now planting them myself, with the help of friends, to ensure our money isn’t wasted.” Tahir expressed his deep disappointment with PHA’s attitude, noting that not only has this discouraged him, but it also represents a blatant disregard for Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s Green Punjab vision. He calls for accountability from the relevant authorities.
Allegations of Mismanagement and Neglect Surface Against PHA
According to senior journalist Hammad Ahmed, complaints regarding the conduct of the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) have surfaced before, with some citizens accusing the PHA of prioritizing cash donations over actual saplings for tree planting. These allegations suggest that funds collected for saplings are often misappropriated rather than being used for their intended purpose.
Hammad also highlighted a recurring criticism that the PHA tends to favour purchasing expensive, non-native trees with government resources rather than promoting the planting of local species. This practice is believed to allow for the possibility of earning commissions on the procurement of these costly trees. “These allegations are further supported by the recent planting of palm and Ashok plants in greenbelts of the city’s main roads,” Hammad said. “These trees are ornamental, not shade-providing, and come at a higher price.”
He expressed concern over this approach, emphasizing that it is especially troubling in Faisalabad, Pakistan’s third-largest industrial city, where not only is the number of trees declining instead of increasing, but the condition of the parks is deteriorating as well. “The last monsoon rain occurred on September 3, but many of the city’s parks are still waterlogged with rain and sewage, leading to the destruction of grass, flowers, and plants,” Hammad lamented.
PHA Cites Manpower Shortage and Sapling Size Concerns in Response to Allegations of Mismanagement
This neglect, coupled with questionable planting practices, has raised concerns about PHA’s commitment to improving the city’s green spaces and addressing the environmental challenges Faisalabad faces. PHA spokesperson Muhammad Waseem explained that the authority faces challenges in tree plantation and park maintenance due to a shortage of manpower. He shared that during this year’s monsoon season, the PHA was tasked with planting 10,000 trees, of which 6,000 have already been planted. “These include saplings donated by citizens, while others were either grown in PHA nurseries or purchased from private nurseries,” he said.
In response to a query about the rejection of trees donated by Tahir Sheikh and others, he clarified that those saplings were not planted due to their smaller size and slower growth rate. “PHA is focusing on planting trees that are 6 to 8 feet tall, which have a survival rate of over 90%,” Waseem added. He also mentioned that the total green area under PHA’s jurisdiction in Faisalabad, which includes parks and green belts, spans 816 acres, and efforts to expand this are ongoing.
Faisalabad’s Master Plan Reveals Contradictions in PHA’s Expansion Claims
The city’s Master Plan 2021-41 contradicts PHA’s claims of expanding the green area. According to the document, Faisalabad’s total green area, including parks and green belts, covers 683 acres, which amounts to just 1.92% of the city’s total area. Out of this, 481 acres are managed by PHA, with 60 acres of green belts also under their care, while 143 acres are privately maintained parks and green spaces.
The document also highlights a reduction in green space over the past 40 years. In 1985, the total green area allocated for parks and green belts in Faisalabad was 944 acres, but this has shrunk by 128 acres over the years. Furthermore, 44% of the city is devoid of any parks or green spaces. To address this shortfall, the Master Plan identifies eight locations across the city where 1,436 acres have been earmarked for the development of new parks. This expansion is crucial to meet the city’s growing need for green areas and to enhance its environmental sustainability.
Lack of Transparency on Tree Plantation Data
Despite a request filed under the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act 2013 seeking verified information about the saplings planted in the past five years, the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) has yet to provide any response. An appeal regarding the matter has been pending before the Punjab Information Commission for several months. However, in a similar Right to Information (RTI) request, the Environment Department disclosed that industrial sectors have contributed 184,000 saplings to the PHA over the last five years.
Significant Decline in Forest Department Tree Planting
Similarly, data obtained from the Forest Department under the RTI Act revealed that tree plantation efforts along canal banks and in public forests within the Faisalabad Forest Division have seen a decline of more than 50% over the last five years. This reduction raises concerns about the sustainability of green spaces in the region.
Urban Tree Cover Negligible, Older Trees Being Felled
According to the National Forest Policy, approved in September 2021, it is mandatory for any city to maintain at least 25% of its total area under forests or green cover. However, research conducted by Muhammad Azeem Sabir, an M.Phil. student in the Department of Forestry at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, reveals that the city’s “vegetation cover” has not shown any significant improvement over the past four decades. The research highlights that new tree planting in densely populated areas is almost non-existent, and old trees are frequently cut down for construction and other purposes. This trend undermines the already declining urban tree cover.
Global Forest Research Data Confirms Declining Tree Cover
According to the Global Forest Research, which monitors forests and green cover globally via satellite, Faisalabad has lost the equivalent of 10 acres of green cover over the last two decades. This reduction in tree cover has resulted in an 11% overall decline in the city’s tree population, contributing to an estimated annual increase of 1,560 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
Rising Pollution Highlights the Impact of Tree Loss
The ongoing reduction in trees is further corroborated by the growing number of pollution-related complaints in Faisalabad. A report issued by the Punjab Environmental Protection Department in June 2023 revealed that the city’s expected average life expectancy has dropped by 4.8 years due to rising air pollution levels. The report also noted that out of 1,091 environmental complaints received from all 36 districts of Punjab in 2022, 512 (about half) were related to air pollution, with Faisalabad accounting for the highest number at 116 complaints.
Limited Access to Parks and Public Dissatisfaction
According to a study by Ayesha Saleem and Saadia Ijaz, students of the Department of Geography at Government College University Faisalabad, the lack of parks near residential areas has created recreational challenges for the city’s residents. Over 55% of park-goers surveyed expressed dissatisfaction with the condition of the parks, calling for improvements and upgrades to recreational facilities. The study highlights that accessibility to parks significantly influences people’s decisions to visit, with many opting to stay indoors due to the lack of green and open spaces.
Rise of Non-Native Trees and Decline of Local Species
The natural balance of ecosystems dictates that different regions have tree species adapted to their local environment to sustain it. However, in Faisalabad, where agricultural lands are rapidly being converted into residential colonies, there is an increasing trend of planting non-native trees for the sake of modernity or aesthetics. As a result, local tree species are declining, leading to intensified heat in the summer and severe smog in the winter, impacting public health.
Focus on Aesthetics over Environmental Benefits
Dr. Fahad Rasheed, an associate professor at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad’s Forestry Department, pointed out that the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) often prioritizes aesthetic appeal over environmental impact when selecting tree species for urban areas. “They plant trees that look attractive without considering their effectiveness in cleaning the environment,” he stated. Similarly, the Forest Department also chooses tree species with higher survival rates, like Conocarpus and Eucalyptus, which have long-term environmental drawbacks despite their resilience.
The Importance of Native Trees
Dr. Rasheed emphasized that native tree species possess a greater natural ability to combat environmental pollution. Therefore, urban areas should prioritize planting local trees. “Given the rise in air pollution and environmental changes, there is a growing need for trees that can purify the air,” he said, suggesting that forest experts be included in PHA decision-making to ensure better selection of tree species for urban environments.
Five-Year Urban Green Plan for Faisalabad
Dr. Amara Habib, a member of the Urban Unit’s team that developed a five-year environmental improvement plan for Faisalabad, stressed the urgent need for tree planting in the city due to its industrial nature. The plan proposes improving the condition of 142 parks across different parts of the city, increasing tree numbers, and expanding tree planting along canals and roads. “Under this plan, 900 acres of land have been identified for greening over the next five years, with a recommendation to plant nearly 700,000 new trees,” Dr. Amara shared.
Community Engagement and Government Accountability for Environmental Protection
Protecting the city’s environment requires not only government accountability but also active public participation. In Faisalabad, the involvement of citizens is essential to prevent further environmental degradation and to make the city more liveable. While residents should take the initiative to plant as many trees as possible, there is also a pressing need to ensure transparency and accountability within the government departments responsible for tree planting and maintenance. This will help guarantee the effective use of national resources allocated for environmental efforts.
Industry owners and citizens should collaborate to enhance the effectiveness of initiatives aimed at increasing the city’s green cover. Additionally, it is crucial to include citizen representatives on the Boards of Governors of the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) and the administrative committees of the Forest Department. Their inclusion can lead to improved performance and responsiveness of these departments, fostering a more sustainable environment for all.
