KOHAT/SWABI: The monsoon tree plantation campaigns were launched under the Green and Clean Pakistan programme in Kohat and Swabi districts on Thursday.

Commissioner Abdul Jabbar Shah launched the plantation campaign in Kohat during a special ceremony and said 10,000 saplings would be planted across the district.

He said 10,000 saplings planted earlier were being cared for by several committees.

Officials urge people to plant at least one sapling

The commissioner said a comprehensive strategy had been formulated to protect plants.

He said the plantation would provide the people with healthy and pleasant environment and help reduce damages by natural calamities, especially floods.

The commissioner said a workable plan had been developed with the help of all stakeholders to protect saplings so that they could grow into trees.

He regretted that the jungles were denuded as the people cut down trees ruthlessly.

The commissioner said trees should be protected for future generations.

He said everyone should plant at least one tree to help address climatic change issues.

The function was attended by heads of the relevant departments, local body members, representatives of government and private welfare organizations, teachers, and students.

In Swabi, the monsoon tree plantation campaign was launched at the Gajju Khan Medical College.

The commissioner and police DIG planted saplings on the college’s lawns during a special ceremony, where the principal, and officials of various departments, including the forest department, were in attendance.

Officials said a total of 335,000 saplings would be planted in different regions of the district by the forest department during the campaign.

They said 0.1 million saplings would be given away to the residents free of charge for plantation, while the departments were to plant 235,000 saplings.

The commissioner and DIG urged the people to actively take part in the campaign saying it is very important to protect environment and increase greenery.

They said the tree plantation was a noble work, so everyone should actively participate in it by planting at least one sapling.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2019