Monsoon plantation campaign starts in Zhob

Commissioner Baloch inaugurates campaign at Loralai Family Park

LORALAI: As part of a countrywide plantation drive, Zhob division Commissioner Sohail Baloch has inaugurated the monsoon plantation campaign by planting a tree in the Loralai Family Park.

Additional Commissioner Mohammad Ayub, Deputy Commissioner Kashif Nabi, Agriculture Deputy Director Noor Mohammad, District Forest Officer Shah, Agriculture Officer Muheebulla, B&R Anwar Loni, sub divisional officers, and other officers accompanied the commissioner.

“Planting tree is ‘Sadqa Jariya’ and forests are indispensible for the conservation of life,” Commissioner Baloch said while addressing the ceremony the other day. He laid stress on preserving and increasing forests for securing the future of the next generations.

“Only five per cent of the country’s land is covered with forests,” he said. “Due to lack of forests, we have been grappling with the problems of water scarcity, floods, natural calamities and climate change”.

Zhob commissioner lauded Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Billion Tree Tsunami project and urged every citizen to participate in the drive for making it a success.

Baloch said: “We should not feel that we fulfilled our duty after planting a sapling or a tree. Its nourishment should be part of our responsibility only then we can have a lush green city.”

He called the protection of forests a national duty of the citizens.

Citing benefits of the tree, the commissioner said it provides shade, wealth and makes the weather pleasant. “Such kinds of trees should be grown that require less water as we have water shortage issues.”

Baloch directed the authorities concerned to plant trees at the premises of Loralai Municipal Committee, Levies check posts, public places and edges of highways. Especially at such place where the saplings can be taken care of regularly, he added.

On the occasion, Additional Commissioner Ayub said Loralai Family Park is about to complete and soon will be opened for public in which all facilities will be provided. The commissioner said the park would be a source of entertainment for the people.

Prayers for national security and development were also offered.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 26^th, 2019.