More than 1.7 million saplings would be planted in Rawalpindi during the current spring tree plantation campaign 2015.
An all-out effort is being made to plant the maximum number of saplings with the help and cooperation of civil society, defence and the health department, as well as educational institutions, during the campaign according to Conservator of Forests Rawalpindi Region Iftikhar Ahmed Qureshi.
Qureshi informed that efforts were being made to achieve the set targets. He said a comprehensive plan of massive tree plantation has been evolved to bring the maximum area under forest cover, which is a basic requirement if the country is to overcome environmental degradation.
He said that the staff members of the department have been told to make sure proper forestation efforts in their respective areas, which will be inspected by the senior forest officers.
According to the forest department, 1,720,000 saplings would be planted in the district. Under the plan, 820,000 plants would be planted in government forests, 110,000 in other government departments, 180,000 in defence departments, and 600,000 would be planted on private land.
He further said that to achieve the target special instructions had been given to all DFOs.
The forest department has established 26 sale points in the district. Citizens can purchase all available seasonal plants at discounted rates from these points, he added.
