The Punjab government is rapidly transforming Lahore’s Mehmood Booti landfill into a solar park and urban forestry area, with the first phase expected to be completed by July and the second phase by the end of the year.
The 42-acre landfill, once towering nearly 80 feet high, has long been a source of environmental pollution and health risks due to persistent methane emissions and foul odors. Now, the site is being covered with soil and repurposed into a sustainable energy and recreational hub under the Chief Minister’s “Clean Punjab” program.
Key Features of the Project
Methane Gas Conversion: Methane emissions from the landfill will be captured using large plastic pipes and converted into usable energy. The gas will be sold to nearby industries, generating significant revenue.
Solar Park: An 11-acre solar park is being developed atop the landfill, expected to produce five megawatts of electricity.
Urban Forestry: The remaining 31 acres will feature tree plantations, walking trails, and green spaces to improve air quality and provide recreational opportunities.
The project, overseen by the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) and Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA), is estimated to cost five billion rupees. It is also expected to generate carbon credits, biogas, and electricity, providing economic benefits for the next two decades.
Officials estimate that the sale of carbon credits alone will generate two to three billion rupees annually. Carbon credits, which represent certified reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, can be sold on the carbon market for $5 to $50 per metric ton. The project is expected to generate $500,000 to $1 million annually through carbon credit sales.
Additionally, biogas production from the landfill will contribute billions of rupees to Punjab’s revenue stream.
another project, another opportunity for corruption.