{"id":123796,"date":"2026-03-13T12:55:47","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T07:55:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pni.net.pk\/en\/?p=123796"},"modified":"2026-03-13T13:01:46","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T08:01:46","slug":"pakistan-days-afforestation-a-million-saplings-in-kp-for-greener-tomorrow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pni.net.pk\/en\/features\/pakistan-days-afforestation-a-million-saplings-in-kp-for-greener-tomorrow\/","title":{"rendered":"Pakistan Day\u2019s afforestation: A million saplings in KP for greener tomorrow"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Fakhar e Alam<\/strong><\/p>\n

PESHAWAR, Mar 13 (APP):<\/strong> At sunrise on March 23, thousands of hands across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will reach into the soil. Students, farmers, soldiers, government officials, and ordinary citizens will each plant a small sapling that carries a large hope\u2014a greener future for Pakistan.<\/p>\n

To mark Pakistan Day, the provincial government has set an ambitious target of planting one million trees in a single day<\/strong>, transforming the national celebration into a powerful symbol of environmental responsibility and the fight against climate change.<\/p>\n

The campaign is being launched under the vision of the Green Khyber Pakhtunkhwa initiative<\/strong>, with tree planting planned simultaneously across the province\u2014from the fertile plains of Peshawar to the mountainous valleys of Swat and Chitral, and the vast lands of Dera Ismail Khan.<\/p>\n

Secretary Climate Change, Forests, Environment and Wildlife Department Junaid Khan<\/strong> said the campaign aims to connect patriotism with environmental stewardship.<\/p>\n

\u201cPakistan Day commemorates the dream of an independent homeland,\u201d he said. \u201cBy planting trees on this day, we want to ensure that future generations inherit a greener and healthier Pakistan.\u201d<\/p>\n

At exactly 9 a.m. on March 23<\/strong>, volunteers across the province will begin planting saplings provided by government nurseries. The activity will continue throughout the day until the last plant is in the ground, said Ahmad Jail<\/strong>, Chief of the Forest Department, while speaking to APP.<\/p>\n

Forests have long played a crucial role in Pakistan\u2019s environmental health. From the towering deodar forests of the Himalayas to the mangroves along the Karachi coast, trees act as natural protectors\u2014absorbing carbon dioxide, producing oxygen, and improving rainfall patterns.<\/p>\n

However, environmental experts warn that deforestation and rapid urban growth have weakened this natural shield, particularly in cities like Peshawar, where air pollution levels have risen significantly.<\/p>\n

According to environmental analysts, tiny particulate pollutants known as PM2.5<\/strong>\u2014microscopic particles harmful to human health\u2014have reached levels far above recommended limits in the city\u2019s air.<\/p>\n

Experts say planting more canopy trees is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce such pollution.<\/p>\n

Historically, the region once had dense forests. In his memoir Baburnama<\/strong>, Mughal emperor Babur<\/strong> wrote about hunting lions in the forests around Peshawar\u2014an indication of how lush the area once was.<\/p>\n

Over the centuries, expanding populations, urban development, and unchecked construction gradually reduced tree cover in districts such as Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, and Charsadda<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Today, environmentalists believe that restoring native trees such as shisham, siris, and pipal<\/strong> is critical for bringing ecological balance back to the region.<\/p>\n

To ensure transparency and accurate monitoring of the March 23 campaign, authorities have introduced a digital tracking system<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Project Director of the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme<\/strong>, Muhammad Junaid Diyar<\/strong>, said a special mobile application and central dashboard will record every stage of the plantation process.<\/p>\n

Volunteers will upload photos, videos, and GPS locations of planted saplings in real time. Even in remote areas where internet access is limited, data can be stored offline and uploaded later.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis will allow us to maintain a transparent record and ensure that every sapling planted is accounted for,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

What makes the campaign unique is the scale of public participation<\/strong>. Schools, universities, government departments, Pakistan Armed Forces, Pakistan Railways, Motorway Police, and local communities will all take part.<\/p>\n

For many participants, planting a tree carries personal meaning. In KP, teachers will encourage students to adopt saplings as living symbols of responsibility. Farmers will plant shade trees along fields, while urban residents will add greenery to streets and neighborhoods.<\/p>\n

Officials hope that each planted sapling will not only grow into a tree but also nurture a culture of environmental care.<\/p>\n

Environmental experts stress that planting trees is only the first step\u2014protecting them is equally important. If properly nurtured, the saplings planted on March 23 could become the backbone of a greener ecosystem in the coming decades.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf every citizen plants and cares for just a few trees each year,\u201d environmental advocates say, \u201cthe dream of a green Pakistan can become reality.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the nation celebrates Pakistan Day<\/strong>, the soil of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will hold more than one million new saplings<\/strong>, each representing a promise that the future can still be green.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Fakhar e Alam PESHAWAR, Mar 13 (APP): At sunrise on March 23, thousands of hands across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will reach into the soil. Students, farmers, soldiers, government officials, and ordinary citizens will each plant a small sapling that carries a large hope\u2014a greener future […]<\/p>\n

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