ISLAMABAD, AUG 11 (DNA) – We as a nation and responsible citizens need to understand the importance of plantation and must focus upon making our country green.

Besides, community awareness and inculcation of civic sense is the need of time. This was opined by the Minister for Food, Agriculture and P&D during the tree plantation campaign initiated by The Centaurus Mall, Islamabad at different locations of the city.

The Centaurus Mall Islamabad has initiated a drive of Green Pakistan under a phased programme where 20,000.00 trees are being planted at different locations of Islamabad in collaboration with CDA and ICT.

In phase-I, the cultivation was done at the Hill View Park besides The Centaurus Mall and Faisal Mosque which is a landmark of the capital city.

The Chief Commissioner Islamabad was also present at the Hill View Park being a joint venture. The Chief Commissioner praised the efforts of The Centaurus and thanked Minister for food, agriculture and P&D Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan on his personal interest in promoting the tree plantation and making the capital green.

He further added that if such drive is followed by others, it will make a great difference. The Minister separately informed that Pakistan losses an average of approximately 43,000.00 hectares of forests equivalent to half the size of Islamabad every year and with only 2% forest cover remaining, the country’s deforestation rate continues to be the highest in Asia and hence warrants immediate attention.

He further added that Pakistan is among the top ten countries most affected by the climate change and one of the simplest actions, corporates and individuals can take is to help increase the forest cover of our country, one tree at a time and this drive is a starting stone and step towards this.

This campaign is an opportunity to play our individual part in contributing positively towards protecting our ecosystem and to help Pakistan build a world where people can live in harmony with nature.

In collaboration with the CDA and relevant communities, The Centaurus Mall will ensure playing its role in the field and ensure that indigenous species are not only planted but also properly maintained by the concerned agencies in order to have a measurable impact. He also urged the community to step forward and join hands together in building a green Pakistan.=DNA

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