PHA launches spring tree plantation drive

Minister says every citizen should plant at least two saplings

LAHORE: The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) has formally launched the spring tree plantation campaign in the provincial metropolis.

Minister for Housing and Urban Development Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed inaugurated the campaign by planting a sapling at Jillani Park on Monday. PHA Chairperson Engineer Yasir Gilani, Vice-Chairperson Hafiz Zeeshan Rasheed, Director-General Muzaffar Khan and Additional Director Tariq Ali Basra also planted saplings on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Rasheed said that in the current year, 275,000 saplings would be planted across the city and the spring tree plantation campaign would make Lahore a green city.

He said every citizen should plant at least two saplings to make the Prime Minister's Clean and Green campaign a success story. He said planting more and more trees has become a dire and urgent need of time to avoid global warming. “It is pleasing that the Lahore PHA is focusing on planting indigenous fruit and shady trees and it has become a role model for other PHAs by achieving the targets of plantation campaigns.”

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On the occasion, PHA Chairperson Gilani said communities and organisations should come forward to contribute in the tree-planting drive. “The Parks and Horticulture Authority has been working at all levels to make the spring tree plantation campaign a success,” he said.

Vice Chairperson Zeeshan Rasheed said the lives of birds, animals and humans are connected to trees.

A large number of shade and fruit plants will be planted in Lahore. Director-General Muzaffar Khan said the PHA will leave no stone unturned to make the city clean and green. “Tree plantation plays a vital role in reducing pollution.”

He said the PHA would perform better in 2020 than the previous years. Additional Director Tariq Basra said all the departments of the PHA were working hard to make the tree plantation campaign a great success. The PHA Lahore is taking effective steps to raise awareness among the citizens regarding the plantation drive, he said. 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 25^th, 2020.