Muzaffarabad: The national tree plantation drive 2019 was launched in Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) on Monday, a news source reported. AJK President Sardar Masood Khan addressed the launch ceremony of the campaign.
He said that forest conservation and reforestation was significant for maintaining climatic balance, preserving natural beauty, and securing the future of the coming generations in AJK.
The president added that AJK was highly suitable region for planting trees both in terms of the climate and geography. He explained that the region received a good amount of rain throughout the year, which was greatly helpful in growth of the saplings. He said that the citizens had the social, individual, and collective responsibility of making this plantation campaign a success both at national and regional level.
According to sources, the AJK forest department has arranged to plant over seven million saplings during this campaign. The department would employ the cooperation of the public in this regard.
President Masood reminded that the forests at the bottom of the Himalayan Range in the region provided for the basic needs of 88% of AJK’s rural population. He added that these also contributed to agriculture and industrial sectors of the country, along with promoting tourism given their beauty.
