Once distinguished by its lush green plains and dense tree cover, Lahore is now rapidly transforming into a sprawling concrete jungle. Experts warn that if the deforestation and urban expansion continue unchecked, the city may soon become uninhabitable due to unbearable heat and worsening air pollution.
According to data obtained by The Express Tribune, Lahore’s temperature is currently 3 to 4 degrees Celsius higher than nearby rural areas. Projections indicate that within the next 50 years, the city’s summer temperatures could rise by 4.7°C and winter temperatures by 5.2°C. In May 2024, Lahore recorded an alarming 49°C, highlighting the urgent need for climate action.
A report from the Urban Unit Punjab reveals that in 2000, the city’s concrete-covered area was 438 square kilometers, which has now expanded to 759 square kilometers. In contrast, Lahore’s green spaces have drastically declined from 1,550 hectares in 2001 to just 1,298 hectares in 2022. Similarly, agricultural land has shrunk by 287 square kilometers, further exacerbating environmental concerns.
Air Pollution and Urban Heat Island Effect
Environmental experts attribute Lahore’s escalating climate crisis to the depletion of green spaces, which previously served as a natural barrier against pollution, extreme heat, and health risks. Environmental protection lawyer, Altamas Saeed, emphasized that the indiscriminate cutting of trees has worsened air pollution, smog, and heat intensity.
“Due to the lack of greenery, respiratory diseases and mental stress are rising among residents. The destruction of natural habitats has endangered wildlife, while Lahore’s beauty and tourism have also suffered,” Saeed stated.
Air quality in Lahore has reached hazardous levels over the past few months. In November 2024, the city’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 625, making it one of the most polluted cities in the world. The situation worsened in December 2024, with an average AQI of 521, peaking at 916 in some areas. Even at the end of December, the city’s AQI remained dangerously high at 329, with Raiwind Road recording a peak of 578.
Unchecked Urban Expansion and Illegal Housing Societies
To make matters worse, Lahore’s uncontrolled urbanization is fueling environmental degradation. The city now hosts approximately 400 housing societies, out of which 271 are illegal or in violation of regulations. Sources report that green belts in Kahna, Barki, Wagah, and Bedian have been converted into concrete structures with the approval of authorities, leading to further loss of green cover.
Dr. Salman Tariq, an environmental scientist at the University of Punjab, explained that trees play a critical role in temperature regulation and pollution control. “Green areas absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Their depletion is intensifying Lahore’s Urban Heat Island effect, making the city hotter and increasing the risk of flooding due to reduced rainwater absorption,” he warned.
A Call for Urgent Action
Experts caution that continued deforestation will not only devastate Lahore’s biodiversity but also pose serious health and environmental risks for future generations. The decline of green spaces threatens the survival of birds, butterflies, and other wildlife species.
Environmentalists urge the government to take immediate action by enforcing stricter laws to protect parks, expanding tree plantations, and curbing the unchecked spread of concrete structures. If decisive measures are not taken soon, Lahore could become unlivable, forcing residents to seek refuge from rising temperatures and worsening pollution.
For now, the city’s fate hangs in the balance—either it revives its green identity or succumbs to the suffocating consequences of urban expansion.
