Making Pakistan green: Plant trees for saving future generations
Trees help human beings in growing and living a healthy life. They are home to millions of species.
(Web Desk) – Pakistan is facing worst deforestation; the loss of trees is intensifying the temperature, polluting the atmosphere, and worsening the lives of living beings. The environment which used to be cooler is now hotter than ever. Glaciers are melting swiftly; hot season extending to many months in a year, causing shrinkage of winter season. Astoundingly, the hottest day was recorded in Nawabshah with the temperature 50.2°C. It was the hottest and highest in the month of April on the entire planet.
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Trees help human beings in growing and living a healthy life. They are home to millions of species. Unfortunately, in Pakistan they are being cut ruthless and aimlessly, ignoring the fact that people are getting shot of their exquisite friends. According to United Nation, around 10 per cent of total land area of a country should be covered with trees. This limit is quite low in Pakistan, even less than five per cent. One of the studies shows that a person needs 550 litres of pure oxygen each day which can only be gained from trees. One tree produces 260 litres of oxygen on annual basis. It is evident when trees grow, humans grow.
For saving human and other beings, one needs to plant trees as many as possible. Photo: File
‘Sarsabz o Shadab Pakistan’
This 72nd Independence Day of Pakistan saw an impressive campaign concerning tree plantation from Pakistan Army and other stakeholders. The National Tree Plantation Campaign namely ‘Sarsabz o Shadab Pakistan’ is worth praising as around two million trees were planted in one day. Chief of Army Staff General Bajwa’s statement regarding is a fact. "Trees are life. Plant trees to save lives." He participated in this campaign himself along with his wife.
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) August 13, 2018
DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor said that in the coming time around one million trees are expected to be planted. National Tree Plantation Campaign needs to be expanded and every stakeholder in the country should participate in it. This campaign should be stopped and marred by the political agendas.
Pakistan needs to be a green country just like how its flag portrays it. Green colour has special importance for Pakistan and its people. It represents the feelings and emotions of Muslims. In Islam too green colour has huge significance. Greenery needs to be expanded and appreciated, and the best way for this is through the plantation of the trees.
Projects like Billion Tree Tsunami, the need of hour
PTI’s “Billion Tree Tsunami” was a remarkable initiative which was cherished all over the world. According to World Economic Forum (WEF), in August 2017, the billion tree goal was achieved. Although the cost of the project was around $169 million, it definitely will save billions of dollars in the upcoming time.
ALSO READ: Imran Khan launches tree plantation campaign in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Unfortunately, just like other projects, it also came under severe political criticism especially from the side of PML-N’ leaders.
Environment and politics
Every stakeholder in Pakistan should participate in making Pakistan greener. The challenges that the upcoming government in Islamabad will have to face include primarily dwindling economy and water shortage. Climate change is also another major issue which needs well-thought-out plan to be implemented by the government, not only in centre but also in provinces. Imran Khan, who unlike other politicians, is environment-friendly and knows very well the impact of deforestation over Pakistan.
Throughout the rule in KP, Imran Khan and his party focused over plantation of trees and promotion of tourism. Photo: File
Under his premiership, it is expected that trees will flourish and timber mafia will be dealt with strict hands. The scope of tree-planting project must be extended from Khyber Pukhtunkwa (KP) to the entire country under whatever name suitable. Furthermore, the entire political and non-political elite should make Pakistan green, setting aside the political agenda, which is the ultimate goal to attain.
