100 mln trees to be planted till 2021: Mushahidullah

ISLAMABAD, Feb 15 (APP):Federal Minister for Climate Change Mushahidullah Khan Thursday said that under Green Pakistan program 15 million trees have been planted while 85 millions more will be planted by 2021.
The minister while addressing the inaugural ceremony of spring plantation 2018 said, “we are aware of this fact that today this city looks so green due to efforts of many organizations, citizen and non-governmental organizations and their friendly attitude towards trees in past”.
The event was organized by Ministry of Climate Change and Capital Development Authority.
Minister said highlighted the importance of protecting trees, saying if the citizen of other cities also plant trees, we can protect ourselves from effects of climate change.
He also highlighted that Pakistan had only 5% forests, citing the cutting of trees, increasing population main reasons, adding that the government took many initiatives to protect natural forests.
“GharGharAikShajar” 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 told the audience that in last five years, under spring plantation 407.3 millions plants and Monsoon plantation 216.7 millions plants have been planted. The survival rate is 70%. Till 2017 monsoon plantations 105.26 millions plants have been grown.
He said, we are trying our best to support these functions at every level and 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 forestation at Margala hills.
He also said ministry of climate change, 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.