FCCI President welcomes tree transplantation orchard, calls for wider use of conservation technology

FAISALABAD, Sep 23 (APP): Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) President Farooq Yousaf Sheikh has welcomed the establishment of the country’s first formal tree-replantation orchard in Faisalabad and described it as a significant step for preserving mature trees affected by development projects.

In a statement here on Wednesday, he urged the authorities to extend the tree-transplantation technology across the division.

He said that the initiative had opened a practical avenue for safely relocating trees instead of cutting them down to make way for infrastructure and other development schemes. He particularly appreciated the creative approach of Divisional Commissioner Faisalabad Dr. Imran Hamid Sheikh in introducing innovative solutions for environmental conservation. He said that transplantation of 795 trees located along the route of Metrobus project had been initiated, allowing mature trees affected by the project to be shifted to safer locations rather than being felled.

The FCCI President said that in the past, trees coming in the way of development projects were often cut down and replaced with newly planted saplings. However, newly planted trees could not immediately provide the same environmental benefits including oxygen production and shade, as fully grown trees, he added. He emphasized that preserving mature trees through scientific transplantation could help maintain the existing green cover while allowing development projects to proceed.

He urged the divisional commissioner Faisalabad to expand the use of tree-transplantation technology throughout the division so that other districts could also adopt this model and develop similar mechanisms for protecting mature trees affected by infrastructure projects. This initiative could serve as a practical example of balancing development requirements with environmental protection and contribute to create healthier and greener urban areas, he added.

Meanwhile, the FCCI President also welcomed the establishment of a smog war room at Deputy Commissioner’s Office and said that this initiative would strengthen coordination and monitoring efforts during the upcoming smog season. He expressed the hope that smog war room would help the administration respond more effectively to pollution-related challenges and contribute to control smog in Faisalabad during the coming season.