LAHORE: Punjab has decided to levy a daily tax of Rs30 on cow dung per buffalo across the province, including Lahore, under the “Suthra Punjab” program. The initiative aims to collect buffalo waste from 168 designated cattle colonies to produce bio-gas.
According to reports, the tax will cover cleaning and collection of buffalo waste in the colonies, which house around 5 million buffaloes. Initially, the tax system will be implemented in two Lahore colonies, Bhenspura and Gujarpura, with cattle owners agreeing to pay the fee.
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Local authorities confirmed that the revenue collected will support the province’s bio-gas initiatives and improve waste management in urban areas. Minister of Local Government, Zeeshan Rafiq, stated that the fee is part of a structured plan to ensure proper dung collection and environmentally friendly energy production.
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The program is expected to gradually expand to other colonies in Punjab, promoting both sustainable energy use and cleanliness in residential areas with high buffalo populations. Authorities said compliance will be monitored, and revenue will fund operational costs of waste collection and bio-gas projects.