Islamabad: The Climate Change Ministry and the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) have united to initiate a significant tree plantation drive across Pakistan, aiming to expand the country’s forest cover through community involvement and stewardship.
According to Press Information Department, Romina Khurshid Alam, the Prime Minister’s Climate Change Coordinator, emphasized the critical role of local communities in forest conservation. She noted that their traditional knowledge and practices are essential for sustainable forest management and can significantly contribute to combating illegal activities such as logging and poaching. The Upscaling Green Pakistan Programme (UGPP), in collaboration with BISP, is spearheading this initiative, which extends to all provinces, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan.
The collaboration seeks to leverage BISP’s extensive network to engage financial aid beneficiaries in tree planting activities, thereby fostering environmental responsibility among citizens. Alam highlighted that a robust plan has been developed to ensure active participation from BISP beneficiaries, who took part in various planting activities on Plant for Pakistan day, coinciding with Pakistan’s 77th Independence Day.
The ministry has coordinated with provincial BISP offices and forest departments to facilitate the distribution and planting of tree saplings, aiming to create a more sustainable and verdant environment across the nation.