Punjab Planning & Development Department in collaboration with Forest Department organized a launching of tree plantation drive under the Pakistan Plantation Campaign at P&D Complex, Lahore. Chairman Planning & Development Punjab Habib ur Rehman Gilani planted a Gulmohar (Gold Mohar) in the lawn of P&D Department premises.
Members of P&D Board Dr. Abid Bodla, Agha Waqar Javed, Sadaqat Hussain, Khalid Sultan, Additional Secretary P&D Dr. Shahid Adil, Chief Agriculture Dr. Muhammad Ashraf, Managing Director Investment Climate Reforms Unit Maleeha Bangish, Chief Conservator Forest Department Abdul Basit, Tariq Nasim Deputy Secretary (Planning) Forest, Muhammad Saleem District Forest Officer Lahore, Muhammad Sharif Publicity Incharge Forest Department & other officials of P&D and Forest Departments & representatives of Media also attended the launching ceremony.
At the occasion, Chairman Planning & Development Habib ur Rehman Gilani said that 9 million plants under the budgetary allocation of 3 billions would be planted across the Punjab Province. All the Forest’s Projects would be included in the ADP 2018-19 under the tree plantation drive. He also said that under the Public Private Partnership Program, Private Sector would be involved to boost up the plantation drive. Government will also cover the black areas of the cities during the said drive. The Green Pakistan is the top priority of the Federal Government. Maximum tree plantation is a national requirement to control flood erosion, air pollution and make the environment human friendly, Chairman added. He stated that ornamental and fancy trees do not fulfill need of plantation as the only shady and huge trees can provide sufficient oxygen to over-come air pollution. At the last, Chairman P&D offered dua by planting the tree.