Islamabad mayor launches monsoon tree plantation drive

All stakeholders urged to play their part in maintaining green character of capital


Our Correspondent August 29, 2017
All stakeholders urged to play their part in maintaining green character of capital. PHOTO: APP

ISLAMABAD: The Mayor and Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Sheikh Anser Aziz kicked off the Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign by planting a sapling at the Lake View Park on Monday.

He planted a Pongamia Glabra sapling at the park as he stated that planting trees and their preservation was an everlasting charity.

He added that the Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC) had taken steps to practically engage all stakeholders in the campaign apart from ensuring the participation of the private sector in the ceremony.

The mayor added that around 300,000 saplings would be planted across the city during the campaign.

He said that trees help purify the environment and would help reduce pollution in the city. He urged residents to play their part in preserving the green character of the city so that desired results could be achieved from the campaign.

While appreciating the participation of the private sector in the campaign, he said that the IMC and CDA had made tree plantation an integral part of the development agenda.

He further added that IMC was focusing on planting ‘ornamental trees’ with special attention being granted to the landscaping of all new roads.

In this regards, Aziz said that the IMC was working on a comprehensive strategy which would see all trees which were cause pollen to be replaced with fruit-bearing trees and other indigenous plants such as Chir Pine, Kachnar, Amaltas, Dhreak, Jacaranda, Olive and Jaman.

The mayor was told that of the 300,000 saplings being planted in the urban areas, 35,000 saplings would be planted along the roads, 30,000 on green belts, 20,000 in parks, playgrounds and markets while 15,000 saplings would be planted in the sectorial area of the city.

A further 125,000 saplings would be planted in Margalla Hills National Park while 75,000 saplings would be planted in the catchment area of the Simly dam.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 29th, 2017.

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