Prime Minister Imran Khan inaugurated Pakistan’s first smart forest in Rakh Jhok Forest, located in Sheikhupura. The project is a part of Ravi Riverfront Urban Development. The project would contribute an estimate of $40 billion in Pakistan’s economy and would create around one million jobs.
According to a spokesperson of the Prime Minister Office, the smart forest will function via sensors and a surveillance system.
After inaugurating the forest, Imran Khan said that “one of the biggest projects in Pakistan’s history”, the project would significantly contribute in addressing climate change-related issues. He said “ten million trees will be planted in this smart forest and it’s Pakistan’s first proper planned forest.
The Prime Minister said the technology would be utilized to monitor the growth of almost every plant under this scheme and relevant authorities would be intimated via sensors if a tree was being cut down. “It will change Pakistan and its environment.” The project would be a source of attracting tourists said, Imran Khan. Talking about Ravi Development Project, he said, three barrages would be built on Ravi River will help the rising level of groundwater. 640 million trees had been planted across Pakistan until 2013 whereas PTI led government planted one billion trees in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa between 2013 and 2018.
Addressing the chief minister Punjab Usman Buzdar said, “I know that your team will come across multiple challenges in the execution of this project, but you should remain prepared to address all of them and see through the project.”
Prime Minister Imran Khan along with others also planted tree on the occasion.
