The Punjab government has decided to impose a daily “Gobar Tax” of Rs 30 per cow and buffalo in 168 cattle colonies across the province, including major areas in Lahore.
This new fee is not a traditional tax but a service charge for organised collection of animal dung (gobar). The collected manure will be used to produce biogas and organic fertiliser under the “Suthra Punjab” programme.
The initiative aims to solve long-standing problems of waste management in cattle colonies, where open dumping of dung creates pollution, bad smell, and health issues.
By formalising collection, the government wants to turn waste into a useful resource for clean energy.
Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq said dairy farmers in these colonies have shown willingness to pay the fee. The pilot project will start in Lahore’s Harbanspura and Gujjarpura colonies. The collected dung will help generate biogas, which can be used for cooking or electricity.
This move is part of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s broader “Suthra Punjab – Waste to Value” project. Earlier, the province successfully tested biogas production from animal waste and slaughterhouse offal.
Officials believe the new system will improve cleanliness, reduce environmental pollution, and support renewable energy goals. The fee will help cover the cost of regular collection, transportation, and processing of dung.
Authorities say it will create a cleaner environment in cattle colonies while promoting green energy. The plan will be expanded across Punjab if the pilot succeeds.
