ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has called on all Pakistanis, especially the youth, to actively participate in the Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign 2024 and plant as many trees as possible to support the national goal of increasing tree cover.
“As we launch the Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign 2024, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all Pakistanis for their tireless efforts to protect our environment,” he said in a message about the campaign.
“This campaign is not just a seasonal initiative; it is a crucial aspect of our national duty to protect and care for the natural beauty and resources of our beloved country,” he said.
The President stressed that currently only about five percent of Pakistan’s land area is covered by forests, which are under enormous pressure due to the increasing demand for timber and other uses of the country.
“With this monsoon tree planting campaign, we have an opportunity to make a lasting impact on our environment and ensure a greener, healthier future for our younger generation. I would like to stress that forestry remains one of the top priorities on Pakistan’s development agenda,” he added.
“To mitigate the effects of climate change, over two million mangrove trees have been planted in Sindh. Trading carbon credits on the international market has also generated $27 million.”
He said another restoration initiative – the Living Indus Programme – includes components aimed at curbing deforestation and has been awarded the United Nations Decade of Restoration Flagship Award.
Published in Dawn, August 18, 2024
