Muzaffargarh: A tree-lined stretch on the outskirts of Muzaffargarh has become a natural refuge from the scorching summer heat, with residents claiming the temperature there remains 10 to 12 degrees Celsius lower than in the city due to its dense canopy of mature trees. Located along the old Rangpur Road from Chungi No. 9 to Khanpur Bagga Sher, nearly 10-kilometre-long road was lined with hundreds of naturally grown trees, creating a cool and pleasant environment even during peak summer. Residents said several of the trees were 50 to 60 years old, while local communities had continued plantation efforts over the years, further increasing the green cover. The area, locally known as ‘Thandi Sarak’ (Cool Road), attracts visitors from Muzaffargarh city and surrounding localities who come to enjoy the shade and cooler weather.
Despite the intense heat affecting most parts of the district, people living in the area said they often experience comfortable conditions and, at times, do not even require electric fans during the day because of the dense tree cover. Local residents, including Arshad, Hafeez and Khuda Bakhsh, urged citizens to plant more trees, saying afforestation was one of the most effective ways to reduce rising temperatures and combat the impacts of climate change. They stressed that expanding tree cover in urban and rural areas would not only provide relief from extreme heat but also improve environmental sustainability and public health.