Multan: South Punjab Forest Department claimed to have achieved 100 per cent of its assigned targets, setting a record of exemplary performance during the year 2025, official said.
According to details shared by Special Secretary Forests and Wildlife South Punjab Rizwan Qadeer, the department successfully met all goals under the supervision of Secretary Punjab Forests Mudassar Waheed and Mudassar Riaz Malik.
He said the Forest Department South Punjab reclaimed 6,332 acres of illegally occupied forest land across the region.
During the same period, strict action was taken against timber smuggling, with 114 employees proceeded against, 110 FIRs registered, and a total of Rs 30 million recovered as fines and compensation, reflecting the department’s strong commitment to protecting forest resources.
Rizwan Qadeer termed the establishment of the Wildlife Rangers Force a revolutionary initiative of the Chief Minister.
He said the newly formed force has been equipped with modern weapons, field vehicles, drones, GPS tracking systems and advanced technology to curb illegal hunting, wildlife smuggling and forest destruction. Across South Punjab, 13 Wildlife Ranger stations have been established and more than 155 personnel recruited.
He further said all ongoing development projects of the Forest and Wildlife departments were completed within the stipulated timeframe. Under the Chief Minister’s agro-forestry initiative on barren forest land, the Multan South Zone achieved a major milestone in Rajanpur Forest Division, where plantation was successfully completed over 3,041 acres using solar-powered irrigation systems. Key forest areas included Kotla Hassan Jamra, Marghai, Bangla, Kocha Sher Mehr and Thal Manghraj. A target of 1,103,883 saplings was set and fully achieved, along with completion of land preparation, earthwork and plantation activities.
Under the ‘Plant for Pakistan’ initiative, the Forest Department South Zone Multan achieved 100 percent physical targets, including establishment of bed nurseries over 223 acres, irrigated plantations on 240 acres, riverine and Bela forest plantations over 764 acres, and roadside plantation along 80 kilometers.