Forest dept plants over 1.3 million saplings in KP to mark Defence Day

PESHAWAR: On the occasion of Pakistan’s Defence Day, the forest department embarked on a massive tree-planting initiative, successfully planting 1.36 million saplings across 196 sites in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to Project Director Mohammad Junaid Dayar. The ambitious plantation drive, exceeding the initial target of one million plants, was a collaborative effort involving various departments and volunteers.

While forest department employees planted 813,881 saplings at 29 sites, the community contributed by planting 555,577 trees at 167 different locations.

The project, known as the Billion Trees Afforestation Support Project (BTASP), aimed to restore forests, boost tree cover, and encourage community involvement in the initiative. This effort marked a significant milestone for the department, which had previously planted 1.73 million saplings during the last Independence Day and 1.4 million plants on March 23rd in celebration of Pakistan Day.

On Sunday, the Peshawar Forest Division achieved the goal of planting more than 50,000 saplings in the Spinkhak area, with supervision from Divisional Forest Officer Mohammad Shakeel and Assistant DFO Abdul Sattar.

Speaking at the event, DFO Shakeel emphasized that these tree plantations would significantly enhance the environmental conditions in Peshawar and its surrounding regions. By increasing green cover, the plantations would help reduce air pollution, moderate local temperatures, and strengthen the ecological balance. Shakeel reminded the audience that Defence Day signifies the importance of safeguarding not only a nation's borders but also its natural resources, environment, and the future generations.

He highlighted the serious challenges Pakistan faces due to climate change, rising temperatures, air pollution, water scarcity, and the degradation of natural ecosystems. To address these issues, he stressed the need for collective responsibility and sustained action.

Shakeel urged every citizen to plant at least one tree and take responsibility for its care, stating that a single sapling could eventually grow into a shade-giving tree, improve the environment, and leave a lasting legacy for future generations. The Spinkhak plantation on Defence Day was more than just an environmental initiative; it was a green tribute to the martyrs of Pakistan and a renewed commitment to protect the land that had been sacrificed for the nation's freedom. The shade, beauty, and environmental benefits of these trees would endure for generations to come.