Forest dept plants over 1.3 million saplings in KP to mark Defence Day

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PESHAWAR: The forest department carried out a mega plantation drive on Sunday in connection with Pakistan’s Defence Day and planted 1.36 million saplings of different species. The forest department had planned to plant 1 million plants; however, with support from other departments and volunteers, it planted 1.36 million plants, Project Director Billion Trees Afforestation Support Project (BTASP) Mohammad Junaid Dayar told Dawn. He said the plantation was carried out at 196 sites in different parts of the province, adding plantation plan was divided into departmental plantation and free distribution plantation. He said forest department employees planted 813,881 plants at 29 sites, while the community planted 555,577 saplings at 167 different sites. Official says plantation carried out at 196 sites Overall, the campaign involved 96 plantation events across the province to promote forest restoration, increase tree cover, and encourage community participation in the plantation drive, he said. Mr Dayar said that on the last Independence Day, the forest department, with the support of students, teachers and other segments of society, had planted 1.73 million saplings, besides sowing 1.4 million plants on 23rd March in connection with Pakistan Day. During Sunday’s campaign, the Peshawar Forest Division, the central forest division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, successfully achieved the target of planting more than 50,000 saplings of various species in the Spinkhak area. Divisional forest officer Mohammad Shakeel and assistant divisional forest officer Abdul Sattar supervised the campaign. Speaking on the occasion, DFO Shakeel said these plantations would make a meaningful contribution to improving the environmental conditions of Peshawar and its surrounding areas by enhancing green cover, helping reduce air pollution, moderating local temperatures and strengthening the ecological balance of the region. He said that Defence Day reminds them that protecting a nation was not confined to its borders; it also extends to safeguarding its natural resources, environment and the future of its coming generations. He said Pakistan was facing serious challenges from climate change, rising temperatures, air pollution, water scarcity and degradation of natural ecosystems. Addressing these challenges requires collective responsibility as well as sustained action. “If every citizen plants at least one tree and takes responsibility for its care, that single sapling can one day become a shade-giving tree, a healthier environment and a lasting legacy for generations to come,” he said. The plantation at Spinkhak on Defence Day is, therefore, more than an environmental initiative—it is a green tribute to the martyrs of Pakistan and a renewed pledge to protect the land they sacrificed their lives for. Its roots may lie in the soil today, but its shade, beauty and environmental benefits will belong to generations yet to come, Mr Shakeel said. Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2026

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