Rakh Jhok Jungle is the forest at the Lahore border. It is a refuge in the city for people and for plants and animals. Although over the years, pollution, illegal construction and logging have affected it. Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) had been on the role of renovating this woodland while working at driving Lahore towards a healthy green environment.

Greenspaces such as Rakh Jhok Jungle are essential for urban areas green. They help to purify the atmosphere, provide shelter, and offer space to relax. Research has shown that those who live close to parks or forests are less stressed, and feel healthier. RUDA is seeking to revive Rakh Jhok Jungle to contribute to a cleaner, greener Lahore.

The Importance of Rakh Jhok Jungle:

Rakh Jokh Jungle is rich in wildlife, and it is home to lots of plants and animals. It hosts birds like myna and woodpeckers, small mammals, and insects which help maintain the ecological balance. Trees such as Sheesham and Neem not only give a shade but also do not allow soil to get washed away and add beauty to the forests.

Giving clear air and lowering the air pollution, forests are of great importance in absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen into our environment. Green spaces, especially in air- polluted cities such as Lahore, are of utmost importance. They combat climate change and enhance air quality.

RUDA’s Vision for a Greener Lahore:

RUDA (Ravi Urban Development Authority) has a bold vision for Lahore’s environmental future, with initiatives like the Rakh Jhok Jungle aimed at transforming the city into a greener, cleaner place. The Rakh Jhok Jungle project includes the plantation of 10,000 trees over 200 acres and the establishment of a 1,000-acre botanical garden, all of which contribute to ecological sustainability.

RUDA has a vision for the environment, and one such project is the Rakh Jhok Jungle. Improving this jungle will enable RUDA to plant more trees and construct facilities helpful both to nature and the community. They aim to plant trees and reduce pollution in the jungle. Also teach people about why they must preserve green spaces in Lahore.

RUDA also wants people in the community to engage themselves. They know such projects require local support. Hence, RUDA offers the chance for people to contribute in one way or another. During the events, the participants can volunteer, be part of tree-planting activities, or join a workshop. In that manner, everyone contributes to the project, hence not making Rakh Jhok Jungle a solo project of RUDA alone.

Rakh Jhok Jungle Renovation Plan:

RUDA has a great vision for renovating Rakh Jhok Jungle over an area of 3,071 acres. So far, they have achieved afforestation on 361 acres which is only about 12% of the target. Also, 252 acres of land have been earmarked for a botanical garden. There is still 970 acres of land available for new planting and 758 acres under plans for new planting.

As part of this ambitious project, RUDA will carry out extensive tree planting so that the jungle can be beautified and be accessible for everyone. In the upcoming years, more than thousands of indigenous trees would be planted to increase the green cover, create shelters for more wildlife, and improve air quality for the better environmental sustainability.

RUDA works in collaboration with local schools and environmental groups. Students always visit the jungle to learn about interesting and fun activities. Kids learn the ways trees cleanse the air. How felling them can be unhealthy, and how they need to take proper care of their environment. Through collaborations with schools, RUDA educates the kids because the protection of nature is significant.

They have play areas in the jungle, intended for families and even lone people. They built new pathways with some places for picnics. With all this, Rakh Jhok Jungle could very well be a great destination and resort in the midst of natural beauty itself.

Also Read: RUDA’s Mission to Revive the Ravi River

Community Impact and Engagement:

There is also a community impact to this plan by RUDA in helping Rakh Jhok Jungle. They make the community involved in clean-up activities and plant trees. RUDA asks the local residents to claim ownership of the future and provide for the jungle. Old and young people alike attend these volunteer activities in assisting in the protection and cleaning the jungles, which makes them all proud.

Seeing RUDA bring it back to life is amazing. It’s a reminder that we can’t take our natural spaces for granted. This shows how much people care about the jungle and how happy they are to see it getting better.

RUDA also holds events and workshops on the care of the environment for the community. It offers learning sessions about how to protect nature, bird-watching trips, and classes on how to minimize waste and live sustainably. In this way, RUDA educates the people on how to care for the environment not only in the jungle but also in their daily lives.

Challenges and Solutions:

However, the task of reviving Rakh Jhok Jungle is not easy. There are many threats to the jungle, including pollution, encroachment, and illegal logging. Urbanization of the surrounding regions has resulted in more garbage and pollution being dumped into the jungle while resource-grabbing from illegal settlements have added more pressure on the forest.

RUDA is attempting to continue its work in accomplishing these strategies to address these issues. RUDA has introduced waste management protocols to fight pollution and set up pollution filters along water bodies in the jungle. Regular cleanup drives preserve the area from rubbish, making the area better, safer space for the people and the wildlife.

In synergy with local authorities, RUDA is also involved in the enforcement of environmental laws to reduce illegal logging and encroachment. RUDA is now attempting to protect the jungle from further damage through vigilance and legal measures as well as spreading the message to the general public about the importance of protecting wildlife. Community awareness programs also help residents understand the ecosystem effects of pollution and deforestation and influence them to live a more ecofriendly life.

Conclusion:

Rakh Jhok Jungle: An essential green lung of Lahore, giving pure air, wildlife habitat – an escape from city life RUDA’s commitment to conservation means the jungle can look forward to a more sustainable future, where nature and community can coexist whilst being enjoyed. Through tree micro closest, education, and communal involvement, RUDA grasps a Slipshod model for city progress in Pakistan.

It needs your support to Revive of Rakh Jhok Jungle. From those volunteering to restore land, raise awareness, or even just being locals appreciating the land and choosing to care for it, we all have a role to play in protecting our natural spaces. Let us partner with RUDA in creating a Lahore where we can still enjoy landscapes like Rakh Jhok Jungle—a Lahore where there is beauty, biodiversity, and balance for generations to come.

Now is the time to act. Respond, circulate, and build a bridge towards a greener and healthier Lahore.