As a part of Independence Day celebrations, Fauji Cement Jhang Bahtar took an environmentally active step. They hosted the opening ceremony of a plantation drive on the 14th of August, 2020. The ceremony, simple and elegant, was inaugurated by Chief Guest Qamar Haris Manzoor, Chief Executive Officer/MD, Askari/ Fauji Cement.
CEO Manzoor began the event by planting a tree and inviting many others to do so. Several officials attended the event. These include, Mr. Muhammad Tariq Khan, Director Operations, Mr. Muhammad Umar, Chief Financial Officer, Brig. (Retd) Riaz Ahmad Gondal, Ashraf, General Manager, Marketing and Sales, Brig. (Retd) Muhammad Iqbal Tahir and Heads of other departments.
Plantation Drives all over Pakistan
Bearing the same mindset, Prime Minister Imran Khan similarly inaugurated a Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign 2020, on the 17th of July, in Kahuta. According to Ministry of Climate Change’s twitter account, this is Pakistan’s largest ever monsoon tree plantation drive yet. They aim to target sowing 200 million saplings.
SAPM on #ClimateChange briefing on Tiger Force Day Tree Plantation Campaign #PlantWithTigersForce https://t.co/cEvKmyjArr
— Ministry of Climate Change, Govt of Pakistan (@ClimateChangePK) August 9, 2020
All activities related to forestry and wildlife are labor-intensive. Hence, these two sectors will play a more positive role in providing much needed local livelihood in the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic. All segments of the society have been urged to actively participate in the “Plant for Pakistan Day”. PM Imran Imran Khan has been constantly highlighting the importance of preserving national parks, forests and the green cover to ward off the dangers of global warming and climate change.
Malik Amin Aslam posted a video on Twitter showing beautiful scenes from Gilgit-Baltistatan. He tweeted, “High altitude roadside linear plantations booming under #10BillionTreeTsunami in Gilgit Ganchee Pakistan – innovatively sea buckthorn bushes are grown around to thwart any damage by grazing”.
It is important to note that this is not a new trend. Several organizations have hosted plantation drives to play their part. For example, in 2018, The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Pakistan pledged to plant 1.4 million trees by August 2019. They did so through their ‘Rung Do’ drive with the active participation of different stakeholders, local communities and passionate individuals. WWF-Pakistan stresses on planting indigenous trees all over the country. This will not only provide shelter to various bird and insect species but will benefit local ecosystems
Associated Press of Pakistan:
"Pakistani government and people attach great importance to the development of renewable energy and environmental protection, which is worthy of high appraisals by the international community."
– Professor Cheng Xizhonghttps://t.co/cCOxvTl45b pic.twitter.com/8SoltIMxkD— Ministry of Climate Change, Govt of Pakistan (@ClimateChangePK) August 10, 2020
Why is tree plantation essential in Pakistan?
Tree Plantation can play a vital role in combating climate change, which affects our planet. According to the UN climate change report of 2017, above 25% of any country should be covered by trees. However, as of 2019, only 3% of the land of Pakistan is covered with trees.
This is the lowest ratio of any country in the world! It cannot sustain the current heatwaves occurring in the different parts of the country. Needless to say, we need to take action. Initiatives like PM’s #GreenPakistan, and #Plant4Pakistan and #BillionTreeTsunami are therefore commendable.
Read more: JS Bank restores Polo Ground Roundabout, celebrates Independence day!
Takeaway
It is amazing to see local businesses like the Fauji Foundation follow the Prime Minister’s lead and taking responsibility for the country. What day better than the Independence Day to make Pakistan greener!