Afforestation is only solution to make Sindh greener: CM

KARACHI: Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister Fazalur Rehman has said that massive afforestation is the best option to make Sindh cleaner, greener and a moderate climatic region to ensure healthy environment.

This he said this while addressing an inaugural ceremony of launching the Monsoon Tree Planting Campaign by planting a Neem Tree sapling in the premises of NJV, the oldest public school of Karachi on Tuesday. The ceremony was attended by Minister for Forests Khair Junejo, Principal Secretary to CM Sohail Rajput, Forest & Wildlife Additional Chief Secretary Sohail Akbar and other concerned officers, members of civil society and officials of Wildlife and Forest department.

He emphasised on undertaking massive planting of indigenous and local trees across the province to combat and avert the severe heat waves as observed in Sindh during May and June 2018 as a result of climate change effects.

He pressed upon to convey clear message to district administration, local government administration, Education, Health, Irrigation, Works & Services, Police and other departments to undertake tree planting in the premises under their domain and administrative control.

Minister for Forests Khair Junejo conveyed a message to all residents of province to plant more and more trees to ameliorate the environment of Sindh.

On this occasion of inauguration of tree planting campaign, Sohail Akbar apprised the chief minister that this time Forest Department is organising and leading the campaign with zeal as an independent “Social Forestry Wing” has been established.

He added that the wing is being headed by an independent chief conservator of forests as a result of reorganisation and restructuring of Forest Department.

“Hence, the achievements and success percentage are expected to be much better and highly successful as compared to previous campaigns,” he said.

Though the envisaged target is set as 11 million plants to be planted during Monsoon, but the aimed goal is bit higher as the planting stock availability is more than it and the mobility and interest of public is expected to be more than usual, due to span of heavy heat waves in Sindh.