Punjab Expands 'Liquid Tree' Project to Tackle Urban Pollution
The Punjab government has announced the expansion of its 'Liquid Tree' project, a biotechnology initiative designed to combat urban air pollution and reduce carbon dioxide levels. Spearheaded by the Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the project utilizes microalgae to absorb CO2 in areas where traditional tree planting is challenging. The expansion plan includes relocating Pakistan’s first EPA-certified liquid tree to Lahore and installing new units in shopping malls and public spaces, aiming to enhance air quality across the province.
The Punjab government has decided to expand its 'Liquid Tree' project, an initiative aimed at promoting an eco-friendly province through modern scientific solutions. The project, managed by the Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), utilizes an innovative biotechnology solution where microalgae absorb carbon dioxide to improve urban air quality, particularly in locations with limited space for traditional tree plantations.
According to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Pakistan’s first EPA-certified liquid tree will be moved from Faisalabad to Lahore as part of this expansion. More than 100 types of micro-algae have reportedly been collected from various regions, spanning from Karachi to Khyber, for the project. Initially, liquid trees are slated for installation in major shopping malls, as well as various indoor and outdoor public spaces, to help mitigate urban air pollution.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz emphasized that the initiative offers a scientific and effective method to address the increasing levels of carbon dioxide and smog prevalent in urban centers. She described the project as a crucial step towards environmental improvement, anticipating that these artificial tree installations in commercial and public areas will contribute to cleaner air.
Officials noted that this initiative aligns with Punjab’s broader strategy of employing technology-driven approaches to confront environmental challenges. In related efforts, the EPA recently demolished 36 fat-melting units across the province, sealed six others, and initiated legal action against their owners. The agency also intensified its drive in April to establish plastic-free zones in major city markets, announcing a complete ban on plastic bags below 75 microns. Furthermore, a new regulatory framework has been introduced, focusing on creating green buffer zones around industrial areas, enforcing mandatory plantation drives, and imposing strict controls on tree cutting to reduce industrial pollution.
According to Dawn Pakistan, these measures collectively reflect a comprehensive strategy by the Punjab government to enhance environmental conditions.
