Influenced by Pakistan’s massive tree plantation drive, Saudi Arabia has announced to plant 10 billion trees to rejuvenate the environment.
A high-level delegation from Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture led by General Supervisor of Chief Executive of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Engineer Muhammad bin Ali Al-Qaimi visited various forests, parks and nurseries of Pakistan, including Khushab.
During the visit, both senior and junior officers briefed the delegation about techniques used in Pakistan’s plantation drive.
Prior to their visit to Khushab, the visiting officials held a meeting with Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam, who briefed them about Pakistan’s initiatives to counter climate change.
The delegation then visited Nowshera in Khyber Paktunkhwa (K-P), where it was briefed about the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami. Later, it also visited the olive plantation sites in Azakhel.
At the National Park site in Chinji, Chakwal, Forest Department’s Chief Convener Northern Zone Malik Shah Darshid Awan and Khushab Divisional Forest Officer Naseem Iqbal Butt gave a detailed briefing to the visiting delegation. Chachwal Divisional Forest Officer Sajid Qudoos, Deputy Commissioner Bilal Ahmed, and others were also present on the occasion.
The Saudi delegation was informed that successful tree plantation has been carried out in Thal. The delegation was told that due to the similarities between the sandy areas of Thal and Saudi Arabia, the trees that were successful grown here could be planted in the kingdom as well. They were told about 20 varieties of plants and more than 30 types of seeds that could be used for cultivation in Saudi Arabia.
During their visit, Saudi officials informed Pakistani officials that the kingdom has decided to launch its own plantation drive similar to Pakistan.
Khoshab Divisional Forest Officer Butt told The Express Tribune that the delegation drew similarities between the terrain of some parts of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. He added that they were then accordingly briefed about techniques which would be suitable for plantation in the kingdom.
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