BUNER/MANSEHRA: Saplings were planted in Buner and Mansehra on Saturday to formally launch ‘Clean and Green Pakistan’ drive.

The drive was launched in Buner as officials planted saplings at Buner Press Club and the adjacent Daggar police station. Ahmed Jalil, divisional forest officer; Hazrat Meer, divisional watershed officer; Saeedullah Jan, assistant commissioner; DSP Zafar Khan, press club chairman AR Abid Bunery and SHO Daggar Khalid Khan planted the saplings.

DFO Ahmed Jalil said on the occasion that the target of planting the required number of trees would be achieved with the support of administration, police, media and local people.

He urged journalists to play their role and create awareness among people about the importance of the plantation drive.

AC Saeedullah Jan said that district administration would extend all out support to the forest and watershed departments to make the drive a success. He said that district administration planted covered most of the open space with saplings during the previous plantation drive.

Abid Bunery thanked the officials for of watershed, administration and police for launching the plantation drive from the press club. He said that journalists would highlight the importance of the drive to create awareness among people.

In Mansehra, the plantation drive was luanched by the watershed department.

“The watershed department has started planting over 2.7 million saplings in the district that will not only bring major change in environment but also restrict landslide,” Deputy Commissioner Ziaul Haq told the ceremony held in connection with launching of the plantation campaign.

He formally launched the plantation drive in the district by planting a sapling at the garden of government higher secondary school for boys.

The official said that both federal and provincial governments wanted pollution-free environment. “I appeal students and other segments of society to come forward and play their due role in making the country green and pollution-free,” he added.

The officials of watershed department were also present on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, February 10th, 2019