LAHORE: To give practical shape to the vision of Climate Resilient Punjab, a sum of Rs795 billion has been allocated for different projects, which are a part of the climate budget tagging framework.

The projects take 64pc of total developmental budget, including Rs277.4bn for climate adaptation, Rs371.7bn for climate mitigation and Rs146bn for the environment protection. The annual development plan is worth Rs1.24tr.

For the next fiscal year for environment protection, forests and wildlife and fisheries, Rs40bn for the development fund and Rs12.9bn for non-developmental fund have been allocated. To combat climate issues such as smog, a sum of Rs5.7bn has been allocated for the Punjab Clean Air Programme under which various projects would be launched in the province.

All over the province, 25 air quality monitoring stations will be established for which the estimated amount for the next fiscal year is Rs3bn. For the first of its kind ‘climate observatory’ in the region, a sum of Rs3bn has also been allocated for the year 2025-26.

The Punjab government has also started a comprehensive Chief Minister Green Credit Programme for the year 2025-26 so that provincial development projects could be registered under Paris Agreement’s Article 6 to gain carbon credits monetisation. .

Rs795bn earmarked for Climate Resilient Punjab; Rs277bn for climate adaptation, Rs371bn for climate mitigation, Rs146bn for environment protection

To take steps against environmental pollution created by stubble burning, the Punjab government has allocated a sum of Rs750m for the year 2025-26. In the next fiscal year a project, titled, Afforestation along Linear Plantation in Punjab will also be started with a sum of Rs2.8bn.

A Punjab Aqua Culture Authority is also being established in the province. Under different aqua-related projects in the province, Rs4bn have been allocated. In Lahore, an international level Model Fish Market will be established with a sum of Rs10bn.

With a sum of Rs2bn a Chief Minister Wildlife Rescue Force will also be established in this regard and GIS base wildlife survey has been started. With a sum of Rs8.7bn projects such as ecotourism in Chashma, Uchali, Wet Lands and Changa Manga have been started. For the second phase of Safari Zoo Lahore Master plan, the estimated budget is Rs7bn while Rs3.5bn has been estimated for the historical Bahawalpur Zoo.

INFORMATION & CULTURE: A sum of Rs16.6bn, including Rs5bn, for development and Rs11.6bn for non-development expenditures has been allocated for the Information and Culture Department and promotion of film industry in the upcoming fiscal year 2025-26.

The chief minister has taken some important steps for promotion and revival of the cinema industry, a much-needed step for the production of Pakistani movies. For Film City and Cinema Development Fund Punjab, a sum of Rs7bn has been allocated. A Punjab Film Fund Disbursement committee has been formed through which film producers will be given grants.

The CM has already given approval for the Film City, Film Studio and Post Production film lab. Steps have also been taken for the health insurance of artistes and their social well being. A place has also been identified for the film city in Nawaz Sharif IT City.

For the promotion of visual art, literature and heritage and for the upgrade of Lahore Arts Council and Gaddafi Stadium Alhamra Cultural Complex, a sum of Rs2.4bn has been allocated. In the information department for the welfare of media workers a sum of Rs400m has been allocated for Journalist Housing Foundation. Similarly, a journalist endowment is also being established for which in next fiscal year a sum of Rs1bn has been allocated.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2025