4-5m trees to be planted in Islamabad: Romina

Islamabad:Under the Carbon Credit Programme, four to five million trees will be planted over 2000-10,000 kanals all over the federal capital, said Coordinator to Prime Minister on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Romina Khurshid Alam on Sunday.

"Allocation of 1.5 per cent of revenue generated from recreational spots in Margalla Hills will be ensured to protect and conserve natural resources of the Margalla Hills National Park," Ms Romina told reporters here.

She lauded the initiatives of the Islamabad administration for transiting to renewable energy and vulnerability of the capital city to climate change impacts. The aide to PM said her ministry had proposed to ICT administration a unique AI based solution to improve air quality of the city to make it model environmentally-sustainable and climate-smart city of the world.

"Currently, the air quality of Islamabad is higher than interim WHO permissible limits, and the problem is getting worse because various reasons including increasing levels of emissions from gasoline and diesel-fuelled vehicles," she said.

Ms Romina said the proposed solution under the transition to green energy involving promotion and adoption of electric vehicles and promotion of urban forestry would not only enhance air quality in the capital city but also reduces the associated health risks and attracts more international tourists as well.

She emphasised the importance of collective efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change being faced by the capital city. "These measures are setting a pioneering example in climate action, promising a greener and more sustainable future for the residents of the capital city and the adjoining areas." The PM's coordinator appreciated the recently launched electric bus service in ICT as a significant step towards addressing environmental concerns.