7.663m saplings planted in spring season

 PESHAWAR: To offsets the challenges of climatic change and global warming, the Khyber Pakthunkhwa Forest Department has planted 7.663 million saplings of different species during the Spring season. Officials in Forest Department said Wednesday that against the set target of 7.200 million plants set by Environment Department for last spring season, the Forest department has planted 7.663 million saplings of different species with the assistance of different stakeholders and national building institutions.
 To combat the challenge of desertification, he said the government has given top focus on plantation in Khyber Pakthunkhwa and as many as 1.447 million saplings were planted in southern circle, 1.771 million in Lower Hazara, 0.720 million in Upper Hazara, 1.367 million in Malakand East and 1.503 million in Malakand East while 1.367 million species were planted by Watershed Management Project with 80 percent overall survival ratio.
 To make Khyber Pakthunkhwa lush green, the official said that Village Development Committees (VDCs) had also richly contributed by planting 0.860 million, defence forces 0.330 million, educational institutions 0.097 million, farmers/public 1.754 million, NGOs/others 0.717 million while departmental block plantations' share remained 3.905 million respectively.
 He said that monsoon tree plantation has already been started and people can approach to Forest Department for saplings. He said that Chief Minister KPK would soon officially inaugurate the monsoon campaign.
 He said trees are very important for human lives and it is the responsibility of every segment of the society to plant maximum saplings for green Pakistan and KPK.
 The experts on forestry has been requested to give special lectures on the subject on Radio and TV talks shows to create awareness among masses about its importance in the promotion of socio-economic development. (APP)