PM opens spring plantation drive

Islamabad : Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Friday inaugurated the Spring Plantation Campaign, 2018, by planting a sapling here at the PM Office with a pledge for a greener Pakistan.

Under the campaign, saplings will be planted across the country for a healthier, sustainable environment. Minister for Climate Change Mushahidullah Khan and MNA Romina Khurshid Alam accompanied the prime minister.

Prayers were offered for the success of the campaign, part of the massive tree plantation programme for all parts of the country through the Green Pakistan Programme. The programme envisages the planting of 100 million additional saplings to make Pakistan greener.

The total cost of the programme is Rs3.652 billion for the period 2016-2021. The prime minister urged all Pakistanis particularly farming community, students, parliamentarians, professionals of various fields and women to actively participate in the campaign 2018 by planting more and more trees.

The climate change minister said the campaign gained all the more importance in view of the fact that Pakistan’s natural forests are under persistent threat of depletion due to the erratic climatic change, heavy demand of wood for human habitation, firewood and other wood based industries.

He said taking cognisance of the situation, the government was taking keen interest in the promotion of forestry and increasing the forest cover in the country. The Capital Development Authority will join the campaign from February 15 and will plant saplings in collaboration with various non-governmental organisations, schools, colleges and universities, he said.

The campaign will focus on parks, Margallah Hills and green belts to make the capital city greener for healthy environment. Meanwhile, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi on Friday launched the Spring Plantation Campaign 2018 by planting a sapling here at the Naval Headquarters.

Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi highlighted the importance of Tree Plantation Campaigns that provide opportunities to strengthen our link with the nature. The Naval Chief urged the countrymen to join hands with Pakistan Navy in this noble cause and commit to plant at least one tree each to ensure better environment for generations to come.

Pakistan Navy intends to undertake massive tree plantations during the current spring season in all units and areas under responsibility from Jiwani in the West to Sir Creek in the East to contribute towards Green Pakistan programme.