PM tells citizens to plant five trees per family
Emphasising on how massive forestation was crucial to save the country due to Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday urged citizens to plant at least five trees per family and join hands with the government’s efforts in securing a protected environment for future generations.
Addressing the launching ceremony of the nationwide Spring Tree Plantation campaign, the premier said around 750,000 scouts of Pakistan Boy Scouts Association will join the drive to achieve the target of planting 540 million trees this season.
The tree plantation event coincided with the World Scouts Day as the government decided to register the young force with the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami project to carry out plantation on a wider scale.
Further on PM Imran said the purpose of choosing the Scouts Day for launch of the plantation campaign was to encourage the youth to take responsibility in protecting their environment.
He added that a highly climate-vulnerable Pakistan could not cope with climate risks, particularly floods, desertification and heat waves, which had become increasingly frequent due to global warming and reduced tree cover.
The prime minister highlighted that Pakistan was blessed with immense natural resources, adding it was the responsibility of every citizen to contribute towards protecting the environment through plantation. “At least five trees per family would go a long way in making Pakistan clean and green.”
He also mentioned that the Ten Billion Tree project acclaimed international recognition by the World Economic Forum and the British prime minister who acknowledged Pakistan as a leader in combating climate change. “Our future is linked with a green Pakistan and we all need to join hands in achieving this goal.”
PM Imran explained how Pakistan’s twelve unique climatic zones provided a favourable ground for tree plantation of all species.
He mentioned that the current season would witness the target accomplishment of planting 540 million trees.
On the occasion, Adviser to PM on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam said Pakistan’s successful tree plantation model was inspiring several countries, adding that recently a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Saudi Arabia in this regard.
According to the MoU, he said, Pakistan will present a plantation model to the Kingdom based on the suggestions of its own experts.
He further said that the German Minister for Environment had stated that his government intended to inject 20 million Euros to the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami project.
Earlier, the prime minister planted a sapling to mark the launch of the Spring Tree Plantation campaign.
Minister for Climate Change Zartaj Gul, Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood and a large number of scouts also attended the event.