The federal governments’ initiative to improve the forest cover of Pakistan through Green Pakistan Programme (GPP) has been formally launched all across the country. The Punjab Forest Department also launched the programme by planting 1,00,000 saplings over an area of 138 acres across 19 districts of the province.For Green Pakistan Programme, the federal government is bearing 50 per cent cost of the project, whereas each province will contribute 50 per cent as a matching grant. Through the programme, 100 million trees will be planted across the country. The programme aims to plant indigenous tree species to conserve and promote the local flora.The species to be planted in different ecological areas include Chir, Kail, Deodar, Fit, Partal, Sprouce, Phulai, Kiker, Rubinia, Kahu, Jand, Ber, Fig, Akhrot, Toot, Neem, Frash and other species etc. Green Pakistan Programme will a successful initiative, as it will help to improve the forest cover of Pakistan, leading to the conservation of wildlife. Most importantly, it will help to adapt and mitigate the impacts of climate change in Pakistan, as the country is highly vulnerable to the phenomenon. The Prime Minister and the Chief Ministers expressed their resolve to work jointly to make Pakistan clean, green and beautiful.
The Green Pakistan programme was approved by the PM in March last year on the pattern of Great Green Wall Programme of China, under which 100m saplings are to be planted throughout the country over the next five years. Protection and management of wildlife and reclaiming and developing forest areas are among the main aspects of the programme. The programme has been launched and announcement has been made to observe Feb 09 every year as National Green Day, one hopes concerted efforts would be made not only to realise this modest target of tree plantation but also surpass it with a big margin in view of serious implications of environmental issues. We have no time to waste or indulge in just sloganeering as already deforestation in Pakistan is highest in Asia while only lip-service is being paid to tree plantation campaigns since long. Protection of forests, increase in forest cover and conservation of wildlife would remain an elusive dream until and unless necessary awareness is raised among citizens and they assume ownership of the drives fully realising the consequences of denuding forest cover. We are losing more and more trees to unplanned industrialisation, housing schemes, roads and highways, runways, water reservoirs and more importantly due to felling of trees for firewood and construction material.
We can make up the loss if we sensitise local communities and involve schools, colleges, universities, government and private offices and corporate sector in tree plantation drives. It is good initiative federal and provincial government should implement this project in full letter and spirit and all stakeholders and civilsociety should cooperate with the government to make this project successful.This project may prevent us adverse effects of climate change and also fulfil the needs of the country.
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