Punjab has taken a historic step in environmental protection by launching a satellite-based forest monitoring system to safeguard its vast forest areas. Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb announced that advanced high-resolution satellites like WorldView-3, SPOT 6-7, Pleiades, PRSS-1, Landsat, and Sentinel-2 will now track tree cover, ecosystem changes, and forest health in real-time.
The system is designed to detect illegal logging, encroachments, and suspicious activities immediately, allowing the Environmental Protection Force to respond without delay. For the first time, Punjab will maintain a complete electronic record of all forests, which will also aid in early detection of forest fires, damage assessment, and wildlife protection.
Aurangzeb emphasized that this initiative not only curbs environmental irregularities but also ensures long-term conservation, strengthens plantation planning, and secures forest cover for future generations. Officials say the satellite feeds will play a crucial role in protecting Asia’s largest forested areas and promoting sustainable environmental management.