Ten Billion Trees Plantation – Govt. to achieve the target by involving provinces, Imran Khan
ISLAMABAD (Monday, 05 August 2019) – Prime Minister Imran Khan (PM) says the PTI led government will achieve the target of planting ten billion trees across Pakistan during its term by involving all the provinces – terming it a ‘National Cause’.
PM was addressing the inauguration ceremony of monsoon tree plantation campaign which he initiated by planting a sapling in Islamabad today.
The PM expressed resolve to fight the climate change effects by planting trees across the country to protect environment for the future generations and emphasized the major role of youth in making the tree plantation drive a success.
PM advised that every Pakistani should plant two saplings on 18th of this month, taking part in the national drive while adding that from the government side the Forest Departments, districts administrations, and other relevant departments will actively participate in tree plantation drive, which will continue for the next four years.
The Prime Minister regretted that the climate of the country has turned warm due to massive cutting of trees, which can be reversed by planting trees particularly in the urban centers.
Speaking on the occasion, Adviser to Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam said Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts to mitigate climate change saying 6.5 percent forest cover has been increased in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after execution Billion Tree Tsunami Project – adding that the new plantation drive referred as “Ten Billion Tree Tsunami” will cost thirty (30) cents per tree which is twenty (20) cents lesser in cost compared to the rest of the world.
The Ministry and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration in promotion of this “Ten Billion Tree Plantation drive” has since early morning started planting saplings at thirty different locations in the Islamabad Capital Territory with the target of planting two hundred thousand saplings on thirty different places today.
On the invitation of the ICT administration the Supreme Chief of Mandokhel Tribes Sardar Hayaat Muhammed Khan Mandokhel vowed to plant 500 trees initially in the ICT region under the PM’s “Ten Billion Tree Plantation” drive increasing the numbers to thousands by including his home town Zhob too Inshaa ALLAH with the additional commitment of taking care of the plants for the initial 6 months so their survival rate is high.