Islamabad, February 15, 2018 (PPI-OT): Federal Minister for Climate Change Mushahidullah Khan attended the inauguration of spring plantation 2018 as chief guest organized by Ministry of Climate Change and Capital Development Authority. ‘We are aware of this fact that today this city looks so green due to efforts of many organizations and citizen and Nongovernmental organizations friendly attitude towards trees in past”, Federal Minister for Climate Change. He further added if citizen of other cities also plant trees and protect them, we can be protected from effects of climate change.
We must also realize that we need to protect trees of this city. He also highlighted that only 5% area of Pakistan has forests. The reasons include cutting of trees due to increasing population and climate change. The present government took many initiatives to protect natural forests that include 3.65 million Green Pakistan program has been initiated in whole country. Under this program 15 million trees have been grown in whole country and 85 million more will be planted till 2021. “Ghar Ghar Aik Shajar” is another awareness campaign under which free plants will be distributed from door to door in Islamabad in 10,000 houses.
Almost 100 students from different universities of Islamabad will participate in this program. We have formulated New Forest Policy and First Wildlife Policy of Pakistan is under process of formulation. Currently there is no wildlife policy at federal and provincial level. He also told the audience in last five years under spring plantation 407.3 million plants and Monsoon plantation 216.7 million plants have been planted. The survival rate is 70%. Till 2017 monsoon plantations 105.26 million plants have been grown. He also told that we are trying our level best to support these functions at every level.
In this regard ministry of Climate Change is playing an active role through fire fighting trainings, advisory member in Wildlife Management Board, member zoo advisory and afforestation at Margalla hills. He also said my ministry; Capital Development Authority and Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad are also working on capacity building of employees, provision of wireless system and other equipment through corporate social responsibility.
There are some projects for citizen of Islamabad like clean streams projects and plantations in which ministry of climate change will provide technical support. There were many stalls and performances arranged by children of various schools. The event was attended by officers of Ministry of Climate Change, Capital Development authority, Non-Governmental Organizations, children from schools and teachers and media.
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