LAHORE – The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) has launched an initiative to plant hundreds of canariensis palm trees across Lahore in a bid to tackle environmental pollution and increase the beauty of the city.
The canariensis, commonly known as the Canary Island Date Palm, is a slow-growing evergreen tree. It has a sturdy trunk and a rounded crown made up of around 100 elegant, arching green fronds, giving it a majestic appearance.
A spokesperson for the PHA said this type of palm tree, according to Botany experts, will help curbing pollution caused by the industries, besides bringing several other environmental benefits.
“The PHA has so far planted over 650 canariensis palm trees along Lahore’s major roads, including Chauburji Chowk, MAO College Road, G.T. Road, Faisal Town and Gulberg’s main boulevards, Maulana Shaukat Ali Road and Raiwind Road,” the spokesman said in a press release on Thursday.
With a tall trunks and fatherly leaves, the tree provides landscapes a tropical flair. The leaves of the palm trees are also used to decorate bouquets.
With this planting campaign, the PHA aims at tackling the carbon dioxide in the environment and enhance the aesthetic look of Lahore, which is also known as city of gardens.
The spokesperson recalled that the department had planted over a million trees across the city last year, adding that PHC now aims at taking this number to 25 million this year.
The ongoing plantation drive is being complemented by regular maintenance of existing green belts, parks, and public spaces, the spokesman said.
