ISLAMABAD: The Punjab government on Thursday set "a new benchmark in environmental protection" as it launched a satellite-based monitoring system to protect forests in Pakistan's most populous province.
A post on the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party's X account said that, under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, satellite monitoring of "all forests has begun for the first time."
It said that the satellite used "state-of-the-art technology to track forest coverage, prevent illegal logging, stop land encroachments, and safeguard wildlife."
"This real-time system will enable immediate action, guide tree plantation efforts, identify areas for afforestation, and even detect fires or estimate damage," the post on X said.
In a separate post, the party said that illegal activity through the satellite monitoring system will be reported immediately, adding that the Environmental Protection Force will take immediate action based on the data.
It also said that the plantation and wildlife will be supported by satellite data, and remote sensing will make it possible to accurately monitor changes on the ground, eliminating land encroachment, manipulation, and double-dealing through electronic records
"The use of modern technology will prove helpful in identifying fires and estimating losses," the ruling party said.
The data will also identify areas suitable for new reforestation efforts.
Broader environmental initiative
The satellite monitoring system is part of the provincial government's broader Green Program, an initiative aimed at combating climate change and promoting sustainable land use practices.
The system will help protect existing forests, prevent land encroachments, and mitigate the impacts of illegal land use changes. It will also assist in assessing damage from natural disasters, such as forest fires.
The province’s Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb praised the new system, stating that it would significantly improve efforts to protect Punjab's forests.
She said that the technology's real-time capabilities would be critical for responding to environmental threats, such as illegal deforestation and the ongoing challenges of climate change.
