Tree plantation drive: CDA makes green start to new housing project

Authority marks World Environment Day with a spring tree plantation campaign

ISLAMABAD: A tree planting ceremony was held by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) at the under-development Park Enclave housing project near Chak Shahzad.

CDA Chairman Maroof Afzal was the chief guest at the event with CDA Member Environment Syed Mustafain Kazmi as the guest of honour.

Children from different schools including CDA Model School, Roots Millennium School, The City School and the Liberal Arts High School attended the event where trees were planted and the importance of a green environment was expressed. Children also presented three dimensional environmental models to demonstrate their understanding of the importance of trees and vegetation.

CDA marks environment-related events several times a year, recently commemorating the World Environment Day and holding the spring tree plantation campaign.

Due to the scorching heat, the chairman said the participating children will not collectively receive their certificates in order to save time.

“Whenever a new sector starts, we plant trees to ensure a green environment. Pakistan currently has a 4.8 per cent land-to-forest ratio, which is very little as we need to achieve at least 12 per cent to have ample greenery and oxygen,” Kazmi said, adding that even Ethiopia exceeded Pakistan in its land-to-forest ratio.

Kazmi said it should be the responsibility of every person to plant a tree. He spoke of the negative impact of timber thieves, climate change, flooding, soil erosion and even earthquakes, on the environment. He said many natural disasters can be avoided simply by planting trees.

Members of the civic agency planted several species of flowering and fruit tree types, including the jacaranda and urchin species. The children, organised in groups, sang patriotic anthems including ‘Is Parcham Ke Saaye Talay’ and ‘Jo Bachon Se Larta Hai, Woh Darta Hai’. Adding to the fun at the event was actor and entertainer Noman Hasan, who recited poetry and told children about the importance of trees.

“Islamabad is one of the few cities in Pakistan where there is so much greenery, but we still do not have enough trees. Ever since the roads have widened, trees have lessened. We are hopeful that our future generations will protect existing trees,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 27^th, 2015.