Social media drive motivating youth toward tree plantation

Afforestation only way to counter impacts of global warming

ISLAMABAD: In connection with the rising concerns over global warming and its impact on the country a public backed social media drive, “Let’s Plant a Tree” has started motivating people to play their part for the national cause by planting saplings whenever possible. The campaign also covers the necessary information regarding those saplings which are inexpensive and require less care to raise and have maximum success rate to be grown as full-fledged trees.



The awareness messages being circulated through traditional texts, WhatsApp and Facebook contain motivating slogans like, “Everybody wants to park vehicle under the shadow of a tree but nobody wants to plant a tree.” Another inspiration notice by the campaign says, “Dear Pakistanis, kindly plant any of the following trees at your house, parks/roads and it will cost less than Rs200. Our cities have been highly affected by environmental changes taking place due to global warming, resulting in abnormally hot weather, heat waves and reduction in rain.”



The awareness drive has also brought to the public’s attention that there are environmentally friendly trees which can be planted, which are both inexpensive and do not require any additional care. This includes Gulmohar, Neem, Amaltas, Lignum/Rohida, Peepal.

The drive also suggests introduction of laws for those landlords who have over one acre making it mandatory for them to grow at least five to ten saplings, and if they do not abide by the law they should be charged a heavy fine. The insisting message of the campaign reads “Do it now, no one else will do it for our future.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 2^nd, 2018.