Breau Report
ATOCK: Four hundred one thousand saplings would be planted across the district during the ongoing spring tree plantation drive.
This was stated by Deputy Commissioner Rao Atif Raza while addressing the inauguration ceremony of spring tree plantation campaign Kalla Chitta forest range near Attock on Tuesday. Officials of divisional and district forest department and local administration were also present on this occasion.
He said that under the campaign, saplings were being planted in government forests, on the land of several government departments, the Defence Department in particular, and private lands across the district. He was of the view that the campaign had kicked off in the district and all-out efforts were being made to make the campaign a success. While unveiling details of the campaign, he said that 50 thousand saplings would be planted in various government forests especially located in tehsil Attock, Fatehjang and Jand. 11 thousand saplings would be planted by various provincial government departments especially education, agriculture and environment while one hundred and 90 thousand would be distributed to various defense organizations located in district especially Pakistan aeronautical complex (PAC) and artillery center. He said that one hundred and fifty thousand saplings would be distributed among NGOs and general public during the spring plantation drive. He said that so far 33 thousand and three hundred saplings are issued to defense organizations for plantation.
He was of the view that greenery and forestation were essential to control environmental pollution – a menace that led the world towards global warming. “A minimum forest cover on 25 per cent area is necessary to keep the natural environment clean,” Mr Rao said. He added that as the olive plant was a drought-tolerant staple plant, efforts would be taken to increase olive farming area in the Barani areas of the district, especially Jand, Basal and Pindigheab. “Saplings of different species like Chir, Pine, Robinia, Poplar and others were being planted under the campaign in various parts of the district especially Hassanabdal, Hazro and Attock city”. He added. He directed the tehsil Forest Officers (TFOs) and other officials concerned to plant maximum saplings with the help and cooperation of the civil society, officials and students during the campaign, he said.
He urged that students of various schools and colleges should also be involved in the spring plantation campaign. “We should plant as many trees as possible because life would be impossible without them,” he said, adding that many species of animals depend on trees as their natural habitat, as they provide shelter, food and protection to them. He said that the forest department was playing a dynamic role towards making Pakistan clean and green.
