KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed the restoration of a 150-year-old banyan tree at Qasr-i-Naz, which collapsed due to heavy rains and strong winds.

The chief minister has instructed the secretary of the forest department to immediately begin restoration work. Chief Conservator Javed Mahar, along with his team, will oversee the revival of the tree, said a press release issued here on Saturday.

CM Shah said centuries-old trees are not only cultural heritage but also vital for protecting the environment.

“In the era of climate change, every plant has immense importance,” he said, adding that the banyan tree is also known as the ‘Tree of Life’.

He recalled that the forest department had earlier restored another historic tree in 2021, which had fallen during heavy rains on the premises of the Sindh High Court.

The CM reaffirmed that the provincial government was committed to preserving and reviving ancient trees as part of its efforts to safeguard the environment and promote sustainability.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2025