SPS plants 4000 sapling on World Forest Day

MULTAN: The South Punjab Secretariat launched an extensive tree plantation drive on the eve of the International Day of Forests to promote and highlight the value of forests on Friday.

South Punjab Additional Chief Secretary Fawad Hashim Rabbani inaugurated the extensive tree plantation campaign. Under his leadership, a total of 4,000 saplings were planted simultaneously as part of this initiative. Fawad Hashim marked the beginning of the campaign by planting a sapling at the Agriculture Complex. He also participated in plantation activities held at Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Agricultural University and MDA Officers’ Cooperative Housing Society. A total of 1,500 saplings were planted at the Agriculture Complex, while 2,500 trees were planted at the MNSAU. The event at the Agriculture Complex saw the participation of 100 individuals, while hundreds of students joined the plantation drive at the MNS Agricultural University.

During the campaign, the Agriculture Department aimed to plant a total of 247,000 saplings across South Punjab. The event was attended by Special Secretary Agriculture South Punjab Sarfaraz Khan Magsi, senior government officials, representatives of MDA Cooperative Housing Society, Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Ishtiaq Ahmed Rajwana and faculty members.

Addressing the students of MNS Agriculture University, South Punjab ACS Fawad Hashim Rabbani emphasised the vital role of trees in enhancing the beauty of the land and creating a healthier environment. He highlighted that forests were essential in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change and maintaining ecological balance. He also pointed out that climate change posed challenges such as reduced agricultural productivity, making afforestation a necessary step to address these issues. He urged every citizen to contribute by planting a tree to ensure a greener Pakistan for future generations.

As part of the event, the additional chief secretary also distributed awards among the students, who won the poster competition held at the Agricultural University.Meanwhile, the Bahauddin Zakariya University Department of Forestry organised an awareness rally under the theme of “Forests and Food” under the leadership of Dean Faculty of Agricultural Sciences Prof Dr Nazim Hussain. A large number of students and faculty members of the department participated in the walk. Expressing his views, he said that for a healthy environment and sustainable economy, 25 per cent of the country’s land should be forested. He said that the aim of the campaign was not only to increase the number of trees, but also to contribute to the global efforts to reduce carbon emissions by 55pc by 2030.

Other faculty members Prof Dr Deen Muhammad Zahid, Prof Dr Muhammad Zubair, Dr Muhammad Farooq Azhar, Dr Ghulam Yasin, Dr Syed Aamir Manzoor, Dr Shazia Afzal and Dr Matoor Mohsin Geelani urged the participants to plant more trees to promote green environment and help reduce pollution.

The Forest Department also organised a function at Ghazi Ghat. The event was attended by Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, Parliamentary Secretary for Higher Education Ajmal Khan Chandia, and Member Provincial Assembly Rana Abdul Manan. Deputy Commissioner Quratul Ain Memon and Special Secretary for Forests Rana Rizwan Qadeer were also present.

Addressing the gathering, the provincial minister emphasised that under the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the Punjab would be made greener and the culture of afforestation would be promoted. He urged everyone to pledge their role in the country’s development and recalled witnessing the devastation of the 2010 floods firsthand.