Romina for promoting urban forestry to ensure cities sustainable, livable

ISLAMABAD, Mar 21 (APP):Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change Romina Khursheed Alam Wednesday underlined the need for promoting urban forestry to ensure cities sustainable and livable.
“Urban forestry is a need of the hour to make cities sustainable and livable”, she said while addressing an event to mark International Forest Day here at Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services organized in collaboration of Gaarana group of Companies, Be There, Young Parliamentarian Forum, Green Pakistan Program, International Union of Conservation of Nature, Association of overseas Pakistanis, and Sustinable Development Policy Institute.
She said forests and greenery were the ultimate cures against global devastation, adding that despite provincial, federal and governmental level efforts, Pakistan was still lacking the capacity to cope with international forestation level standards.
Romina said urban forestry mainly deals with plantation in cities which are more prone to high pollution levels causing more diseases and disasters as compared to villages.
“Urban plantation can be suitable along road sides, along park corners and it might also be suitable for every house to plant a fruit tree in house lawn or open areas outside the houses,” she said.
On other hand, the parliamentary secretary said, kitchen gardening must be appreciated at smaller levels and building green infrastructures and concept of vertical gardening is also taking shape as recently introduced in Amazon mall, a project of Graana Group of Companies.
While talking about the importance of forest, she said, “forests apart of being a useful source of fruits and nuts, timber and fuel, shadow and shades, help in maintaining climatic balance, keep check on pollution levels and support a large portion of biodiversity, indeed”.
She also highlighted “Ghar Ghar Aik Shajar” program crossing the target of 8,000 plants and distribution of 3600 plants in schools.
Deputy Mayor Islamabad Zeeshan Naqvi appreciated the plantation drives of both Capital Development Authority and Ministry of Climate Change, which helped in creating awareness among public about clean environment and greenery.
He also highlighted initiatives taken under Prime Minister’s Green Pakistan Program. Chairman Graana Group of Companies Shafique Akbar apprised about major projects of the company including urban forestry .
Dr Asghar Naeem Professor at National University of Science and Technology stressed the need to take measures for promotion of urban forestry as “we are living in the age of cities.”
Fawad an architect also highlighted that architects could play an active role in urban forestation by designing green architectures.