Australia gifts a Miyawaki forest to Pakistan

The Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan Dr Geoffrey Shaw joined the Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul to inaugurate a Miyawaki Forest at the Fatima Jinnah Park Islamabad on Wednesday.

The High Commission gifted the forest to the public park as part of an initiative organised by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to support Pakistan's Miyawaki Forest and the Spring Tree Plantation Campaign 2021.

Speaking at the tree plantation ceremony, Dr Shaw said, “This Miyawaki Forest is a gift from the Australian Government to the people of Pakistan. I hope that the trees and shrubs planted here today help regenerate not just the environment of Islamabad but contribute to making Pakistan cleaner and greener.”

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"Australia has a ongstanding cooperation with Pakistan on environment and tackling climate change, including improving water management and security, access to clean drinking water, flood forecasting and disaster risk reduction,“ he said.

"Green initiatives such as this are becoming ever more important in the face of the growing impacts of climate change affecting our region – something both Australia and Pakistan are keenly aware of and taking action on,” Dr Shaw added.

CDA Director General Naveed Tareen said, “Miyawaki is one of the techniques to develop forests quickly and Prime Minister Imran Khan has taken keen interest in its implementation.

"We all are aware of the threat of global warming and how it's already affecting our lives. Right and timely initiatives like this are much needed. We are thankful to Australian High Commission for their collaboration in this amazing initiative.”