Karachi: In a significant push towards environmental sustainability, President Asif Ali Zardari has emphasized the need to increase national forest coverage to counter the growing threats of climate change and global warming. He made this appeal during the annual Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign, where he planted a Neem sapling at Bilawal House on National Tree Plantation Day, celebrated on August 18.
According to Press Information Department, President Zardari highlighted the critical role of forests in mitigating environmental threats, noting that Pakistan is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. He recounted initiatives from his tenure as the Minister for Climate under Prime Minister Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed, including widespread Neem tree plantings, which are known for their environmental benefits such as providing clean air and natural mosquito repellent.
The President called on the youth and civil society to actively participate in the Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign to help expand green spaces and enhance forest cover. He praised the country’s successful mangrove restoration efforts, which have seen millions of acres replanted, particularly in Sindh, and underscored the ongoing commitment to increase mangrove and forest areas further.
President Zardari stressed the importance of widespread community involvement in tree planting initiatives as essential to cooling down temperatures, increasing greenery, and securing a healthier environment for future generations.