Govt to launch massive tree plantation drives countrywide: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan inaugurated a three-day Asia Regional Conference on Climate Change in Islamabad on Wednesday (today).    

Protection of the country’s environment is the top priority of the government, PM Khan said while addressing the 7th Asian Regional Conservative Forum of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The PM said “Pakistan has twelve ecological zones from desert to Himalayan forests which are rare in the world,” however, the population growth and the lack of interest in the protection of the environment in the past devasted our wildlife and forests.

After the success of the Billion Tree Tsunami Project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government will launch massive tree plantation drives across the country, the premier said adding that the youth will work on this campaign.

He said the environment protection will also be made part of the syllabus in the country.

PM Khan also apprised the conference about another campaign under which vertical buildings will be constructed in cities.  He said the town planners need to be more conscious of environment protection.

Speaking on the occasion, IUCN President Zhang Xinsheng hailed the government for launching the 10 billion tree tsunami project. He said he is also impressed with the forestation that took place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the last five years.

Mr. Xinsheng appreciated the mission and passion of Prime Minister Imran Khan to address the issue of climate change.