LAHORE: Chief Secretary Punjab Yousaf Naseem Khokhar launched monsoon tree plantation campaign by planting a sapling in the premises of Civil Secretariat Lahore on Tuesday.
The Punjab government has set a target to plant nine million saplings during the ongoing drive. Speaking on the occasion, Yousaf Naseem Khokhar said that the campaign should be made successful by exceeding the fixed target. He mentioned that protection of environment is a national cause, adding that tree plantation is imperative to control the growing pollution and the federal government is paying special attention to this issue.
He said that that providing clean environment to people is a priority of the government and practical steps are being taken for this purpose. He also asked the relevant provincial departments to keep close coordination with federal institutes and play their due role in making the tree plantation a success. He remarked that controlling environment pollution is a service to
humanity and there is need to work for environment on emergent basis.
The Chief Secretary urged people to actively participate in the drive to make it a success. He also underlined the need for launching a community mobilization and awareness campaign regarding benefits of trees.
Yousaf Naseem directed that after plantation effective arrangements should also be ensured for protection of a sapling so that it could reach its full stature.
The Secretary Forest Department briefed that all arrangements are in placeto successfully run the campaign. Forest department has 31 million saplingsin stocks and 363 sale points have been established for the ongoing drive,he added.
He said that 15 million saplings were planted against a target of 12 million during the spring plantation and rate of success remained 128 percent.
Additional Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary (home), Secretaries of different departments including finance, local government, education and information were also present on the occasion. (INP/SB)
