Share this story!            

President kicks off monsoon tree plantation campaign

* Bilawal, Bakhtawar and Asifa plant saplings of Lychee
* Zardari congratulates Environment Ministry for setting world record of tree plantation

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday launched the Monsoon tree plantation campaign by planting a sapling at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

Environment Minister Hameedullah Jan Afridi and other senior officials attended the tree planting ceremony. President’s children Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Bakhtwar Bhutto Zardari and Asifa Bhutto Zardari also separately planted saplings of Lychee on this occasion.

“It is our national and religious duty to grow more trees and protect existing forests and trees,” the President said in a message on this occasion.

World record: According to a press release issued by Farhatullah Babar, the spokesperson for President, the President congratulated the nation and the Ministry of Environment for setting a new world record on July 15 this year by planting 5,41,176 trees in one day at Keti Bundar, Thatta in Sindh province. “This signifies our resolve and commitment to make Pakistan green and environmentally friendly,” the President said.

The President said genuine and lasting development had to be sustainable. “Sustainability of development demands that we protect and enhance the quality of environment,” he said.

He said trees and forests were an essential part of the ecosystems regulating water supplies. “In the year 2009 that has been designated as the Environment Year, I ask the people to grow trees to improve the ecosystems and enhance the environment,” he added.

The President said the government planned to launch tree plantation twice a year to increase forest cover in the country. “I urge all stakeholders including farmers, local communities, forest owners and right holders, civil society organisations, the private sector and students to participate in the drive,” the President said.

Cautions: The President also cautioned against the continuous depletion of forests reserves during the past several years and called for reversing the trend by strengthening the existing forest monitoring system.

As forestry is a provincial subject I would strongly urge the provincial governments to employ all available legal instruments to stop illegal cutting of trees, the President said, adding, “We also need to introduce new technologies and concept both in commercial and environmental forestry.”

“I invite all citizens to participate in our national effort to cover Pakistan with trees and make the country lush green. This is the only way to achieve the goal of sustainable social and economic development,” the President said.

Home | Islamabad

Share this story!