LANDI KOTAL: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government launched monsoon tree plantation drive across the province on Sunday and planned to plant five million saplings under 10 Billion Tree Plantation Programme (BTAP).

In this regard, ceremonies were held in all districts and officials of the forest department distributed free saplings among students and volunteers. The main ceremony was held in Shah Kas, Khyber tribal district wherein Minister for Environment Syed Mohammad Eshtiaq and Chief Secretary Mohammad Salim Khan inaugurated “Plant for Pakistan” drive.

Addressing the ceremony, the minister said that government had set a target of planting five million trees during the current campaign.

Ceremonies held in different districts to launch plantation drive

“A successful plantation campaign could ensure a bright future for our coming generation,” he added.

First it was announced that Chief Minister Mahmood Khan would inaugurate the plantation drive. However, his visit to Jamrud was cancelled at the eleventh hour.

The minister said that Pakistan was the seventh dangerous country around the globe in terms of universal climate changes. He said that government had planned to plant one billion trees in the province to tackle the climatic dangers.

Chief Secretary Mohammad Salim Khan urged people to take part in the forestation campaign. He added that every citizen should plant at least one sapling.

Tree plantation ceremony was also at Ladies Park in Peshawar that was attended by students, teachers, officials of Civil Defence and other departments.

University of Peshawar Vice-chancellor Dr Mohammad Asif was chief guest on the occasion.

In Lakki Marwat, over 35,000 saplings were planted on a vast tract of land near Wanda Painda Khan on Lakki-Darra Tang road on Sunday. Scouts, students, teachers, government employees, members of civil society and local elders took part in the drive.

The participants of the ceremony also held an awareness walk. They carried banners with messages highlighting importance of tree plantation and clean and green environment.

In Kohat, the plantation campaign was launched at government college KDA by district nazim Naseem Afridi.

Schoolchildren, members of NGOs, volunteers and official of all line departments also planted saplings at different places.

In Mohmand tribal district, the district administration in collaboration with forest and other departments launched monsoon plantation drive by planting a sapling on the lawns of deputy commissioner office in Ghalanai.

In Lower Dir, a function was held at government middle school SoghalayTalash to kick off the drive.

Adil Khan Memorial Trust Talash (AKMT), a welfare organisation, arranged the function. Deputy Commissioner Shaukat Ali Yousafzai was chief guest on the occasion.

In Swat, Minister for Livestock and Agriculture Muhibullah Khan launched the drive on the main campus of University of Swat in Charbagh tehsil.

He said that tree plantation was the top priority of government.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2019