CM wants fruit trees planted on govt buildings premises

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Tuesday directed the officials concerned to ensure that fruit-bearing trees were planted on the premises of the government buildings in the province.

“It should be made mandatory to plant fruit-bearing trees on the premises of all government buildings, including official residences, offices, hospitals and educational institutions,” he told the third meeting of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Environment Protection Council via video link.

Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Climate Change Musavir Khan, the administrative secretaries of relevant departments, and other members of the council attended the meeting.The meeting reviewed the implementation status of the decisions made in the previous council’s meeting, and important directives were issued.

He emphasized that fruit trees must be planted during the upcoming plantation campaign around government buildings and along roadsides, and a written directive should be issued to all authorities concerned in this regard.

Gandapur stated that the tradition of planting fruit trees was diminishing and needs to be revived. “The presence of fruit trees is essential not only for humans but also for the survival of birds,” he remarked and directed that the Agriculture Department be given special responsibility for planting fruit trees. Moreover, he called for initiatives to promote fruit tree planting among the younger generation. The meeting also reviewed the implementation of the council’s previous decisions for environmental protection.

The chief minister instructed that complete data on existing brick kilns in the province and their conversion to zigzag technology be submitted within 15 days.Expressing concern over the delays and obstacles in the implementation of some of the council’s decisions, he sought a detailed report and directed all departments entrusted with specific responsibilities by the council to fulfill those within a month and present their progress in the next meeting of the council. The meeting also reviewed progress on the decision to regularize old housing societies established without NOC or proper approvals.

The chief minister expressed dissatisfaction over the progress and instructed that clear and measurable progress be ensured within 15 days, and a report be submitted.He also directed that medical waste management in hospitals across the province be treated as a priority. He assured that the provincial government would provide all necessary resources on a priority basis to support this effort.

The meeting approved guidelines for the regulation of BTS towers and mini/micro-hydropower projects. Additionally, the council accorded in-principle approval for regulatory guidelines for 32 sectors contributing to environmental pollution. The formation of a Technical Committee, Legal Committee, and Climate Change Committee under the council was also approved during the meeting.