QUETTA: The United Nations Development Programme, Balochistan Forest Department and the Taraqee Foundation have announced launching a joint tree plantation campaign in three districts of Balochistan.

A memorandum of understanding has been signed between the Balochistan Forest Department and Taraqee Foundation for the implementation of the plantation campaign.

Speaking at a press conference here on Sunday, Chief Executive Officer of the Taraqee Foundation Amjad Rasheed said that for the time being three districts of Balochistan had been chosen for tree plantation and more districts could be included in the campaign later.

He said the tree plantation campaign was named ‘Chand Meri Zameen Phool Mera Watan’ with the aim to create awareness among the people about the clean environment. During the campaign, around 70,000 trees would be planted in Quetta’s Hanna and Urak valley, Nawan Killi, Pishin, Ban Khushdil Khan and some other areas, he added.

Mr Rasheed said the Taraqee Foundation had taken responsibility for implementation of the project and was taking care of the plants, while the support of various line departments and NGOs involved in the network of the Foundation would also be sought.

He appealed to the media to join hands in the public interest project. He said that a mega event in this regard would be organised next month. He said that under the plan the labourers who lost their jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic would be engaged for the tree plantation and looking after plants.

In reply to a question, he said that Rs15 million would be spent on the project and providing jobs to the labourers. He said that every institution could join hands with the Taraqee Foundation and Forest Department in the campaign.

Published in Dawn, January 25th, 2021