Lahore: The Punjab government plans to initiate plantation drive with nine million saplings at the end of July 2019, a news source reported. It will plant the saplings as part of the tree plantation campaign during the upcoming monsoon season.
Punjab Chief Secretary Yousaf Naeem Khokar chaired a meeting at the Civil Secretariat in this regard. The meeting reviewed the preparations for this plantation drive. Addressing the meeting, Khokar stated that providing people with a clean environment was a priority of the government. He said that the authorities concerned should take effective measures to make the plantation campaign successful, along with improving sanitation in the districts.
Khokar stated that the campaign is meant to encourage plantation in the country, and that the public should participate to ensure its success. He stressed on the need for a community mobilisation and awareness drive explaining the benefits of such a drive. He added that after the drive is completed, the provincial government would also prepare for looking after the saplings to ensure their full growth.
Meanwhile, the Forest Department Secretary informed the meeting that the government has set a target of nine million saplings for the monsoon season. He added that they planted 15 million saplings against a goal of 12 million during a similar drive carried out in spring. The authorities concerned have finalised the arrangements, he stated. He said that the forest department currently has 31 million saplings in stock, which will be available through 363 sale points set up for the upcoming plantation drive.
