Most of 22m planted trees destroyed: Balochistan CM Jam Kamal Khan

CM calls for use of drone technology for protection of plants

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan has said that a critical look at the outcome of three years of tree plantation efforts would reveal that over 22 million trees were planted in the province of which most were destroyed due to carelessness.

“It is a waste of government funds,” observed Kamal during a meeting regarding the provincial plantation drive in the upcoming monsoon season in Balochistan. He also called for the use of drone technology for the protection of plants.

The Plantation campaign will start on July 17 and continue till October 17. Saplings will be planted in the northern and southern parts of the province according to the weather conditions and availability of water.

The target for the plantation in this season was fixed around 3 million 52 thousand trees. But it is estimated that the target would be increased to 9 million, the session was informed.

The armed forces of Pakistan, government departments, civil society and school children will take part in the campaign.

The chief minister also approved to convert all tube wells of the forest departments to solar power. He instructed the officials concerned to prepare recommendations for the amendment in the law of forestry.

He also ordered authorities to establish nurseries and to plant trees near the dams.