Ten-billion tree plantation drive in Rawalpindi to begin in February

Rawalpindi: The government’s ‘10-billion Tree Tsunami’ campaign is expected to be carried out in the city from February 1 onwards, a news source reported. According to officials, this initiative (part of the countrywide ‘Clean & Green Pakistan’ project) will be carried out in different parts of Rawalpindi.

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Under this campaign, the authorities concerned will plant a record number of 100,000 saplings in Rawalpindi city, 100,000 saplings within the limits of each cantonment, and 30,000 flowering plant varieties in parks across the district.

Commissioner Muhammad Mahmood, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anwar ul Haq, and station commanders will inaugurate the campaign. All circles of the Forest Department and administration of large factories will supply the saplings required for the plantation drive.

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Meanwhile, all sapling to be planted will be taller than five feet. Additionally, the provincial government plans to set up a new forest comprising 20,000 plants along Chakri Road.

On other hand, the Education Department has made it compulsory for students of grade six till matriculation to plant one plant each. The students will also have the responsibility of protecting the planted sapling. The department will not issue certificates to the student without presenting evidence of the planted sapling.

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Parks & Horticulture Authority (PHA) Chairman Asif Mahmood stated that the officers have prepared the soil at 20,000 locations across the city for planting the saplings. He added that they will plant the saplings on both sides of all roads, at government offices, basic health facilities, hospitals, schools, and empty lots.

The chairman said that the department will also plant saplings on both sides of Nullah Leh. Meanwhile, the headmasters and headmistresses of different schools have also received targets for planting trees, he added.

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According to reports, the campaign will continue till April 30. Officials revealed that they have prepared the saplings in local nurseries, and civilians can buy them for PKR 8 each. Meanwhile, government institutions will receive them free of cost.