Monsoon plantation drive launched in Chitral

Bashir Hussain Azad

CHITRAL: The forest department launched a monsoon tree plantation campaign in Chitral during which over 80,000 saplings would be planted in both the districts.

The drive was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner Mohsin Iqbal who planted a deodar sapling on the premises of the district police officer (DPO) office in Balach village. DPO Iftikhar Shah, District Forest Officer Abdul Majeed and other officials along with local people were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, the deputy commissioner said that in the wake of the climate change challenges the world over, the need for plantation had become even more imperative, especially in areas such as Chitral that have undergone devastation from natural calamities.

He said that plantation at a larger scale in Chitral could help in minimizing the impacts of climate change disasters such as GLOFs and flash floods. He said that for the plantation of a maximum number of saplings during the drive, a target has been set and police, Rescue 1122, education, health, fisheries and other departments have been involved to meet the target. He said that the community’s role in planting trees and creating awareness was crucial.

 The DFO told the gathering that over 80,000 saplings of different species would be planted in both the Lower and Upper Chitral districts during the drive. He said the forest division Chitral had made a strategy not only to achieve the target of plantation but also to ensure the survival of the plants.

The DPO said that his department was ready to provide human resource to make the drive a success and ensure survival of the plants. Free saplings were distributed among the local people on the occasion by the forest department.