Provincial Minister for Forests and Wildlife Malik Muhammad Asif Bha Awan has said that over 9 million saplings have been planted in the province so far under ongoing Spring Tree Plantation Campaign 2016. He directed all divisional forest officers of the province to accelerate the pace of tree plantation to achieve the target of planting 12 million saplings by June 2016. He said that strict action would be taken against those who failed to achieve the target.
He expressed these views while presiding over a meeting held to review the progress on Spring Tree Plantation Campaign 2016 at his office on Monday. Chief Conservator of Forests Central Zone Rana Shabbir Ahmad and other concerned officers were also present on the occasion. The meeting was told that a target of 4.25 million saplings was set for government forests and that 2.88 million saplings had already been planted. Likewise, he said, other government departments planted 1.26 million saplings which is more than the target of 1 million. Pakistan Army has planted 1.15 million saplings against the target of 1.3 million, while 3.78 million saplings have been planted on private lands, out of the target of 5.45 million saplings.
The meeting was told that the Forest Department has conducted 66 planting ceremonies, and 18 tree plantation ceremonies, displayed 29 publicity stalls, delivered 20 lectures, 15 Radio Talks, six farmers days and eight seminars in this regard. Chief Conservator of Forests Centre Zone Rana Shabbir Ahmad directed all the divisional forest officers to ensure maximum public participation in tree plantation ceremonies and to create awareness about the importance and benefits of tree plantation. He said that the officers should not only focus on tree plantation but pay attention on to the protection and safeguard of the planted saplings. He also directed the DFOs to involve students of schools, colleges and universities in the awareness programmes and walks meant to create awareness about the usefulness of trees in our lives.