Pakistan’s first wildlife hospital completed in Punjab

Pakistan gets first wildlife hospital

Pakistan’s first dedicated wildlife hospital has been completed in Punjab with modern facilities to treat injured and sick animals, birds, and other wild species.

Officials briefed Punjab Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb about the facility during her visit to the Forest and Wildlife Command and Control Centre.

The hospital has 12 operation theatres and two examination rooms, providing a dedicated facility for wildlife treatment and medical care.

The project is being described as an important development for wildlife conservation in the province.

Punjab’s Forest, Wildlife and Fisheries Department lists establishing a state-of-the-art wildlife hospital at Safari Zoo, Lahore, among its major initiatives.

Modern technology to protect forests

The briefing also highlights the use of modern technology to protect Punjab’s forests.

Officials say artificial intelligence, long-range thermal cameras, live surveillance and satellite monitoring are being used to keep a closer watch on forest areas. These systems can help authorities detect forest fires and other threats at an early stage.

The use of technology is expected to improve monitoring and help officials respond more quickly when a problem is detected. Punjab’s Forest, Wildlife and Fisheries Department also uses geographic information systems for forest management and maintains digital forest data for planning and monitoring.

Punjab crosses 50 million saplings

Officials also report major progress in plantation activities across the province.

According to the briefing, Punjab has crossed the milestone of planting 50 million saplings in one year. More than 10 million additional plants are being planted during the ongoing monsoon campaign.

The figures reflect the government’s wider focus on increasing tree cover and restoring degraded forest areas. The provincial Forest Department says large-scale afforestation aims to improve forest cover, protect biodiversity and strengthen environmental resilience.

285 nurseries placed under digital monitoring

The briefing further reveals that 285 geo-tagged nurseries are now operational across Punjab. Authorities maintain digital records for plants at these nurseries, allowing them to monitor plantation activities more closely.

Geo-tagging can also help officials identify nursery locations and keep better track of planting activities. The provincial department maintains information about forest nurseries and their locations as part of its plantation system.

Jallo Park set for ecotourism transformation

The meeting also reviews plans to turn Jallo Park into a modern ecotourism destination. Officials are preparing a master plan and business plan for the project.

Also Read: Punjab unveils satellite system to track air pollution

The development is planned under a public-private partnership model. The aim is to improve recreational facilities while creating greater public interest in nature, forests and wildlife.

The government is also reviewing wildlife and ecotourism projects in areas including Changa Manga and Safari. The Punjab Forest, Wildlife and Fisheries Department lists ecotourism at Changa Manga and other natural sites among its initiatives.

New attractions completed at Safari

Construction of the Giraffe Café and Tree House Café at Safari has also been completed. The facilities are expected to provide visitors with new recreational options and support the province’s wider ecotourism plans.

The projects are part of efforts to make wildlife parks more attractive to visitors while keeping conservation and nature protection in focus. The government is also working on the wider development of Safari Zoo Lahore, including the implementation of its master plan.

More women join Forest Rangers Force

The briefing also highlights the growing participation of women in the Forest Rangers Force. Officials say 215 women have joined the force, which has more than 5,000 personnel.

Their inclusion adds to the workforce responsible for protecting forests and supporting conservation activities across the province. Authorities are also taking action against illegal timber cutting.

Officials say fines exceeding Rs10 million have been imposed during operations against illegal timber activities. Such enforcement is aimed at discouraging illegal tree cutting and protecting forest resources.

Wildlife protection gets wider focus

The latest developments show that Punjab is taking a broader approach to wildlife and environmental protection. The strategy combines wildlife treatment, forest surveillance, plantation, law enforcement and ecotourism.

The new hospital addresses an important need by providing a dedicated facility for animals and birds requiring medical attention. At the same time, digital monitoring can help authorities keep a closer eye on forests and respond to threats more quickly.

The large-scale plantation programme is another major part of the conservation effort. However, the long-term success of plantation campaigns will depend not only on planting saplings but also on ensuring that they survive and grow.