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Friday, August 23, 2013
CDA to plant 500,000 saplingsISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Nadeem Hassan Asif on Thursday said that the authority would plant 500,000 saplings during the ‘Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign 2013’.
Inaugurating the campaign, the chairman said that CDA was taking measures to increase and preserve the greenery of the capital.
He said that the CDA had planned to plant 165,000 trees in the urban areas of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), which include avenues, green belts, Expressway, 10th and 11th avenues, green belts of sectors I9, I10 and I11, parks and playfields.
He said that 190,000 saplings would be planted at Margalla Hills National Park and 145,000 in the Simly Dam’s catchments area.
He said that CDA was focusing on planting indigenous species and fruit trees, including Chir Pine, Kachnar, Amaltas, Dhreak, Jacaranda, Olive and Jaman, to enhance the beauty of the city.
He said that plantation of trees would purify the environment, which would help reduce the pollution in the city. He urged the participants of the campaign to take active part in the tree plantation campaign. Every citizen of Islamabad should plant a sapling as “our religion encourages those who plant trees,” said CDA chairman. He said that strict monitoring of the planted saplings would be carried out and CDA would involve general public, educational institutions, NGOs, government employees and traders to make this campaign a success. The chairman requested the public to identify places for plantation. He said that next time the target for tree plantation would be increased. He thanked the media persons and civil society for their active participation in the ‘Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign 2013’. On this occasion the chairman also visited different stalls and appreciated the efforts of school children.
CDA Environment Member Ahsan Ali Mangi said the chairman that the ongoing plantation campaign would continue until 15 September, during which members of the sector citizens committees, traders, educational institutes, NGOs and environmentalists would be invited. He said that comprehensive arrangements would be made to raise awareness in this regard so as maximum people may be involved in the plantation drive. Under the awareness campaign, poster, banners and streamers had been displayed in different areas of the city whereas car stickers, paper bags and badges carrying slogans for planting trees would also be distributed, he added. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk