LAHORE: A Geographic Information System (GIS) lab has been set up in the Punjab Forests Department for help in development, management and checking of forests on a scientific basis, says a handout.

In the light of the information obtained on a scientific basis from the lab, not only forests will be protected but information will also be obtained about the resources and steps taken for increasing their number. The project has been completed at a cost of Rs50 million.

Punjab Minister for Forests, Wildlife and Fisheries Malik Muhammad Asif, while presiding over a departmental meeting, said highly-qualified and experienced staff had been recruited for looking after technical matters and get benefit from this lab which would work under the control of conservator working plan.

He said comprehensive information would be obtained from this lab in a very short period of time. He said help was being taken from this facility for future planning of 27 canal forests spreading over 170,174 acre and 68 river forests on 52,500 acre land in Kasur, Okara, Lahore, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Muzaffargarh, Sargodha, Mianwali, Multan, Chichawatni, Sahiwal, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Jhang, Layyah and other forest divisions.

He said preparation of maps of forests was being done through the GIS which included getting record from the revenue department and technical information of forests.

Mr Awan said training was being arranged for the staff so that besides proper utilisation of machinery and equipment, management of forests could be made effectively.

The minister said the GIS Laboratory had published a brochure containing latest maps of 25 big canal forests spreading over 166,302 acre. He said efforts were being made for further protecting forests.

Published in Dawn, October 5th , 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play