A Manmade Forest

Located 80 km south west of Lahore is Changa Manga, which once held the distinction of being the largest man-made forest in the world. The Changa Manga forest can be entered from a road off the N-5 Highway near Bhai Pheru and Chunian. At present, the forest covers an area of 48.6 square kilometres.

Named after two brothers – Changa and Manga – who were well known for thievery in the area, the forest was originally planted in 1866 by British foresters and the wood from the trees was used as fuel. However, the chief purpose

Also known for being one of the oldest hand planted forests in the world, Changa Manga is host to 14 species of mammals, 50 species of birds, six species and reptiles, two species of amphibians and 27 species of insects. Therefore it is not just an important source of timber of the area but also a wildlife reserve.

The forest serves as a conservation and breeding centre for the critically endangered species of Asiatic vultures, (white-rumped vultures). It hosts a conservation centre in association with WWF SAVE (Saving Asia’s Vultures from Extinction) programme, an international effort.

Some parts of the forest have been transformed into a recreation park with a railroad. The forest keepers developed the recreational park for the visitors. A 5-kilometer train joyride is available on a miniature train passing through the forest, and it has become a major tourist attraction, especially for children. There are other attractions too, like the waterfall, water turbine, a children’s play area, and boating is allowed on a lake named Lunar Lake.

Reaching Changa Manga Wildlife Park

Enjoying a central location in Punjab, the Changa Manga forest can be reached by using the following routes.

• From Islamabad: Via Lahore-Islamabad M2 Motorway (437 km, roughly a 5-hour drive)

• From Lahore: Via N-5 Highway (80 km, a little less than a two-hour drive)

• From Sahiwal: Via N-5 Highway (110 km, around a twohour drive)

• From Multan: Via M4 and Lahore’s M3 Motorway (approximately 310 km, roughly a 4-hour drive)

The unperturbed natural environment of changa manga wildlife park with a variety of trees and animal species also makes this game reserve an interesting place to be explored by the individuals studying biological and environmental sciences to benefit their respective fields.

The park is open to tourists throughout the year. It is a beautiful place to visit for picnics, where families may enjoy get-togethers and friends or corporate employees plan outdoor activities. The public swarms this area during national holidays and also to enjoy the special weather and outdoor activities that the park offers.