ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Monday inaugurated the monsoon tree plantation campaign in the city.

During the drive, the CDA would plant 300,000 saplings in different parts of the capital.

The minister launched the campaign by planting a sapling at the greenbelt of Saidpur Range along Margalla Road.

Mayor of Islamabad Sheikh Ansar Aziz, deputy mayors and ambassadors of different countries, educationists, students, businessmen and environmentalists were present.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said plantation of trees and their preservation was a charity and the residents of the capital should participate in the campaign so that the green character of Islamabad could further be enhanced.

He said in order to create awareness about the importance of environment among children, the topic of tree plantation would be added to their curriculums.

The minister said the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) and the CDA would contribute collectively to make Islamabad more beautiful.

Trees that are causing pollen will be replaced by fruit trees and other indigenous plants, including Chir Pine, Kachnar, Amaltas, Dhreak, Jacaranda, Olive and Jaman.

Mayor Ansar Aziz said the MCI was committed to making Islamabad more beautiful and a modern city of the world. He said maximum plantation of trees would purify the environment, which would help reduce the pollution in the city.

He asked the residents to play their role in the preservation of the green character of the city.

Member Environment CDA Sanullah Aman informed the participants that the participation of the sector citizen committees, traders, educational institutes, NGOs and environmentalists in the drive had been ensured. He said comprehensive arrangements had also been made to raise awareness so that a maximum number of people could be involved in the plantation drive.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2016