Chandigarh: The Punjab Forest Department has started work on an ambitious urban greening initiative aimed at improving air quality and restoring biodiversity in cities through the development of “oxygen forests” using advanced Japanese Miyawaki-style technology.
The project is designed to create dense, small-scale urban forests across the state to improve the urban environment and increase green cover.
650 Urban Micro Forests to Be Developed Across Punjab
Under this initiative, the state will develop 650 urban micro forests, each covering an area of 300 square metres.
Key features of the project include:
- 35 to 40 native and fruit-bearing plant species per forest
- Around 400 to 500 plants planted in each 300 sq. m. area
- Extremely high-density plantation method
- Creation of fast-growing green ecosystems
These micro forests will be established in educational institutions, hospitals, industrial areas, judicial complexes, and other public spaces.
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Focus on Biodiversity Restoration and Dense Plantation Model
Officials said the project aims to replicate natural forest ecosystems in compact urban spaces.
The high-density plantation approach will:
- Improve biodiversity in urban areas
- Attract birds, insects, and small wildlife
- Strengthen ecological balance
- Support long-term environmental sustainability
Experts noted that dense planting helps create self-sustaining ecosystems that mature rapidly and require less maintenance over time.
District-Wise Allocation of Urban Micro Forests
The Punjab Forest Department has allocated targets across districts:
- Gurdaspur: 25 forests
- Amritsar: 48 forests
- Jalandhar: 82 forests
- Bathinda: 56 forests
- Muktsar: 42 forests
- Ferozepur: 41 forests
- Pathankot: 10 forests
- Dasua: 38 forests
- Hoshiarpur: 53 forests
- Ropar (Rupnagar): 34 forests
- Mohali: 23 forests
- Garhshankar: 40 forests
- Sangrur: 28 forests
- Patiala: 35 forests
- Mansa: 24 forests
- Ludhiana: 71 forests
Land identification for plantation is currently underway across all districts.
First-Ever Inclusion of Judicial Complexes in Afforestation Plan
A notable feature of this initiative is the inclusion of judicial complexes, which are being covered under a forest department plantation programme for the first time in Punjab.
This marks an expansion of green infrastructure into institutional and administrative spaces.
45 Sacred Groves Planned Under Separate Initiative
Along with urban micro forests, the Punjab government will also develop 45 sacred groves (pavitra van).
Key details:
- Each grove will cover around 1.5 hectares
- Around 400 saplings per site
- Development in semi-urban and rural areas
- Focus on dense ecological forest creation
These sacred forests are intended to combine environmental conservation with cultural and traditional values.
Large-Scale Plantation Across Urban and Road Networks
The state has also planned additional plantation drives:
- 43,300 saplings within municipal limits
- Highest: Muktsar division (4,000 saplings)
- 45,500 saplings along roadsides outside municipal areas
- Plantation along 5 km stretches on both sides of roads
- Highest: Ropar, Dasua, Jalandhar, and Ferozepur (4,000 saplings each)
These efforts aim to significantly expand green cover across urban and rural Punjab.
The initiative by the Punjab Forest Department marks a major step toward improving urban air quality and ecological balance. With 650 dense micro forests, 45 sacred groves, and large-scale roadside plantation drives, Punjab is moving toward a greener and more sustainable urban environment through innovative afforestation techniques.
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