KARACHI: Samina Alvi, First Lady of Pakistan, participated in a tree-plantation exercise organized by Shehri — Citizens for a Better Environment (CBE) at Mazar-i-Quaid here on Tuesday.

On the occasion she urged the masses to take up the responsibility of turning the country green with equal care towards nurture and protection of plants as well as trees in their neighbourhoods and cities.

“Planting of trees is a blessing itself,” she said adding that this not only helps provide habitat to creatures right from birds to butterflies but also provides the needed relief to human beings against weather vagaries.

The first lady regretted that there still exists lack of public understanding and awareness about importance of plantation.

“Many of us still have no concept of plantation and the importance of greenery,” she said.

Reiterating that “green Pakistan” is very close to her heart, she said trees in our surroundings are also an easy source of calming nerves while the sound of birds chirping holds its own charm.

The first lady during the exercise planted saplings of cheekoo and jamun, appreciating that fruit trees are particularly needed in a city like Karachi.

“I am always available for the cause across the country as such efforts are needed in every nook and corner of Pakistan,” said Samina Alvi.

Amra Javed, a senior member of Shehri — CBE in her brief presentation said the NGO had been planting trees on the premises for more than four years with major focus on fruit trees as well as those species that are indigenous such as gulmohar, amaltas, neem and so forth.

As for different fruit trees being planted, not only at the Quaid-i-Azam mazar grounds but also at other relevant points in Karachi, the senior activist said the right of local children to experience nature, see fruits grown, plucked and tasted fresh ought to be restored without any further delay.

Amra Javed mentioned that many of the saplings planted by her NGO years ago are now fully grown and bearing fruits such as ber, guava, lemon, cheekoo and papaya.

Executive engineer of the Quaid-i-Azam Management Board (QMMB), Mohammad Arif along with a select group of activists and citizens were present on the occasion.—APP

100,000 saplings

Meanwhile, City Administrator Laeeq Ahmed on Tuesday said that 100,000 saplings would be planted in a plantation campaign to be started from Wednesday (today), adds Our Staff Reporter.

He said that Information and Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah and others would plant more than 500 saplings to inaugurate the campaign, adding that neem, ficus religiosa (peepal) and other traditional and seasonal trees would be planted.

He said that different welfare and social organizations and members of civil society tendered their cooperation to the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation for the plantation campaign. He added that environmental pollution could be controlled through plantation.

Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2021