10m trees to be planted

10 Billion Tsunami project making headway as millions of indigenous plants to be plants

MULTAN:

Secretary Forest, Fisheries and Wildlife (South Punjab) Sarfraz Magsi said that 10.9 million indigenous plants were being installed across south Punjab under the 10 Billion Tsunami project during the monsoon campaign.

Talking to the media on Saturday, Magsi observed that the Forest department owned 600,000 acres of land in South Punjab and most of the saplings were being planted on Forest land. These would help improve the natural habitat for birds and help promote greenery and a clean atmosphere. Forest land is available along roads, banks of canals, deserts and some other areas.

Till now, the department had installed 20 million plants under the 10-Billion Tsunami project, he hinted. He remarked that the Forest department established special nurseries to sell plants to the general public against subsidized rates. Each plant is worth Rs2, Magasi added. The plants will also given to schools and government offices.

Responding to a query about fruit tree plantation, Magasi stated that a mix of trees, including fruit and other indigenous plants, had been planted and were compatible with the local environment.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 16^th, 2022.