One million saplings to be planted on Pakistan Day: Secretary Forest
PESHAWAR (APP): Preparations are underway to set a historic record of planting one million trees in a single day in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Pakistan Day, said Secretary Forests Junaid Khan here Thursday.
Talking to APP, he said Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is going to celebrate Pakistan Day on March 23 through a unique and historic tree-planting campaign, under which a record of planting one million trees across the province in a single day is set.
This initiative will not only highlight the national importance of Pakistan Day but will also serve as an effective effort to protect the environment and realize the vision of a greener Pakistan.
Junaid Khan said that under the Chief Minister’s special vision “Green Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” this plantation campaign will begin simultaneously across the province.
He said that planting one million trees in a single day will be the first and unique achievement of its kind in Pakistan’s history, serving not only as a step toward environmental improvement but also as a strong symbol of raising national awareness.
Pakistan Day reminds us of the pledge made on March 23, 1940, when through the Pakistan Resolution, the Muslims of the subcontinent envisioned the establishment of an independent and sovereign state in subcontinent.
Keeping the spirit of this historic day in mind, the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has decided to transform this national day into a “Green Pledge,” so that the benefits of independence can be preserved sustainably for future generations.
The Secretary added that climate change has become a major global challenge, and Pakistan is among the countries severely affected by its impacts. In such circumstances, planting trees is not only a means of environmental protection but also essential for clean air, ecological balance, and sustainable development.
He expressed hope that this campaign will become a milestone in promoting environmental awareness across the country.
On this occasion, Muhammad Junaid Diyar, the focal person for the March 23 record plantation campaign, said that for this historic effort, the process of supplying plants from the Forest Department’s government nurseries to all districts of the province has already begun.
He said that the plantation drive will officially begin at 9:00 AM on March 23 and will continue without interruption until the last plant is planted.
To ensure transparent monitoring and complete record-keeping, a special software application and a modern dashboard in a central control center have been arranged. Through this system, details of plant distribution, plantation locations, and all stages of planting will be sent to the central center via mobile phones with photos and live video.
For remote areas where internet access is limited, the special application also provides the facility to upload data offline.
He added that this record plantation campaign will involve government institutions, educational institutions, district administrations, motorway police, Pakistan Railways, local communities, and the armed forces of Pakistan, ensuring that it becomes a strong example of public participation in a national campaign.
Govt believes that if every citizen takes responsibility for planting and protecting at least one tree, these plants will, in the coming years, become the foundation of a green, prosperous, and environmentally secure Pakistan.
