Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif unveiled Pakistan’s inaugural certified “liquid tree” technology on Sunday, aimed at addressing the severe urban air pollution and seasonal toxic smog in Lahore. This innovative biotechnology unit utilizes specialized microalgae to absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen, offering a novel solution to the city’s environmental challenges.
The system, currently being transported from Faisalabad to Lahore after successful laboratory and structural testing, is designed to serve densely populated commercial areas where traditional tree planting is hindered by spatial limitations. Officials emphasized the importance of this artificial system as a vital intervention for such constrained urban zones.
Maryam Nawaz highlighted that this technology marks the first certification granted by the Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) since 1987. She explained that the artificial trees actively absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, contributing to a wider initiative aimed at enhancing air quality in urban centers.
The project involved collecting over 100 varieties of microalgae from diverse regions across Pakistan, ranging from Karachi to Khyber. After a rigorous seven-month evaluation, the most effective strain was identified in Sukkur and subsequently cultivated in partnership with Government College University Faisalabad.
Equipped with an AI-powered calculator, the system continuously monitors real-time data on carbon absorption and oxygen release, ensuring precise environmental impact tracking. In its initial phase, these “liquid trees” will be installed in major shopping malls and both indoor and outdoor commercial spaces, where they are expected to function as artificial environmental enhancers akin to natural trees.
Provincial officials noted that the project is the culmination of a detailed scientific vetting process, during which bioscientists analyzed numerous microalgae strains collected from ecological zones spanning Karachi to Khyber. The system’s continuous data logging captures the volume of greenhouse gases absorbed and the net oxygen output released into the atmosphere.
This technology is part of a broader, technology-driven environmental strategy launched by the Punjab government. The framework includes establishing early-warning air quality forecasting systems and stringent monitoring of emissions from industrial sectors and vehicular traffic throughout Punjab, aiming to create a sustainable urban environment.
