CHARSADDA: Monsoon tree plantation drives were launched in Charsadda, Bajaur and Mohmand districts on Wednesday as part of the provincial government’s initiative to grow more plants to cope with climate change issue.

In Charsadda, the plantation drive was launched during a function attended by deputy commissioner Dr Azmatullah Khan Wazir, district police officer Mohammad Waqas Khan, forest department officials and others.

Schoolchildren on this occasion presented a tableau on the importance of tree planting. Addressing the ceremony, Azmatullah Wazir said that trees had numerous benefits.

He said that planting trees alone was not enough but their proper care was essential.

He said Charsadda would be made a green and peaceful model district free of drugs, especially ice.

He also emphasised the need to engage the local community in the drive by providing them with free saplings.

In Bajaur, addressing the monsoon tree plantation drive, deputy commissioner Shahid Ali Khan called for joint and sincere efforts to plant maximum number of saplings, both wild and fruit-bearing, during the season.

He stressed the need to take the local community on board to make the drive a success.

He also directed the officials of the agriculture and forest departments to plant maximum number of saplings.

“The number of wild and fruit-bearing trees is very low in the district, despite is soil and climate being greatly favourable for both types of plants. “Officials from the forest and agriculture departments should make all-out efforts to plant more saplings in the district during the monsoon drive,” he added.

He said a total of 110,000 saplings would be planted during the monsoon drive in which 85,000 will be wild trees while 25,000 will be fruit plants.

“Scores of new olive saplings are being planted in the district, which already has millions of olive trees owing to its suitable soil and climate, during the ongoing monsoon drive,” forest officials said.

In Mohmand, deputy commissioner Mohammad Yasir Hassan, alongside principal Mah Rukh, formally inaugurated the monsoon plantation campaign by planting a guava sapling at Government Girls Degree College, Chanda.

The launching ceremony was attended by district forest officer Waqar Ahmad, community development officer Nasir Khan, forest officer Siddiqueullah, and a large number of students.

Speaking on the occasion, DC Yasir emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in promoting afforestation. “It is the duty of students and citizens alike to plant as many trees - especially fruit-bearing ones - as possible in their localities,” he said. “Planting trees is not only a form of continuous charity but also crucial for beautifying and preserving our environment.”

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2025