SHANGLA: Over 4.5 million saplings of different species would be planted across Shangla district.

This was stated by divisional forest officer Adnan Ali while speaking at a ceremony held to inaugurate tree plantation campaign here.

Provincial information minister Shaukat Ali Yousafzai launched the campaign.

DFO Adnan Ali told Dawn that about three million saplings, including poplar, willow, robinia, eucalyptus, chirr, sheesham and deodar would be distributed among the people during the campaign, while 1.6 million saplings would be planted by the forest department in the district.

He said the forest department planned to distribute 10 saplings to each student both in the boys and girls schools across the district.

DFO Ali said the saplings would be also distributed among the private school students.

On the occasion, Shaukat Yousafzai said it was need of the hour to combat the climate change through massive tree plantation. He said the provincial government was spending huge funds on plantation drives to preserve and enhance the precious forest cover.

Published in Dawn, February 4th, 2020