Good news for motorcyclists: Govt announces Rs100,000 cash reward for bikers!

LAHORE: Senior provincial minister Marriyum Aurangzeb on Monday announced a cash reward of Rs100,000 for motorcyclists and bikers who convert their petrol bikes into electric vehicles (EVs).

Addressing a function in Lahore, Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the Punjab government has launched a forestry initiative under which citizens and industries have been allowed to adopt parks and forests to offset their carbon footprint.

She added that the environment department has also introduced a green credit program, under which citizens can get financial incentives in the form of green credit by planting trees.

Encouraging interested persons to visit the official website https://greencredit.punjab.gov.pk, the minister said that the Punjab government under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif will provide Rs100,000 to motorcyclists who convert their petrol bikes into electric ones through the green credit program.

Aurangzeb further highlighted that the government is also promoting the transition to LED lighting, which will also earn citizens carbon green credits.

He said, the ‘Plant for Pakistan’ initiative is part of the Chief Minister’s vision to increase the green cover of Punjab through urban forests.

Criticizing the previous governments’ claims of large-scale tree plantation without accountability, he said, “We are not making empty slogans like the so-called ‘billion tree tsunami.’ Every tree planted is being monitored and mapped, and this year, Australian-style monitoring technology will be fully installed.”

The minister also announced plans for a technology-based fire control force in Punjab, in which the Bank of Punjab will monitor the entire process. He said that forest land under encroachment has been reclaimed and stressed the government’s commitment to expand and protect forest areas.

Aurangzeb shared that Lahore residents can call 1399 to receive a sapling delivered to their homes, a gift from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

Furthermore, he revealed that 300,000 trees will be planted around the Ring Road and said that smog has been a major problem in Lahore for the past decade. He said that steps are being taken to control smog on the instructions of the Chief Minister. Seven air quality monitors have already been installed as part of the Punjab Air Quality System.

He urged citizens to participate in the greening efforts: “It is the responsibility of every Lahori to plant as many trees as possible. The more saplings we plant, the better our air quality index will be.”