TAXILA: The spring tree plantation campaign kicked off in Attock on Saturday, under which over 400,000 saplings will be planted across the district.

The Spring Tree Plantation Campaign 2024 aims to increase greenery and preserve Attock’s green atmosphere.

Students from government-run schools had also been invited to participate in the plantation effort at Bagh Neelab, at the Bank of the Indus.

Deputy Commissioner Attock Rao Atif Raza inaugurated the drive and informed that more than 401,000 saplings would be planted across the district, among them 50,000 in government forests, during the current spring plantation drive.

He added that 102,000 trees would be planted in tehsil Attock, 82,000 in tehsil Fatehjang, 42,000 in Pindigheb, 10,000 in tehsil Jand, and 165,000 saplings would be planted in tehsil Hassanabdal.

Mr Raza noted that under the campaign, saplings were being planted on the land of several government departments, including the Defence Department, and on private lands in the region.

“A minimum forest covering 25 percent of the area is necessary to keep the natural environment clean,” Mr Raza said.

He added that as the olive plant was a drought-tolerant staple plant, efforts would be made to increase olive farming in the Barani areas of the district, especially Jand, Basal, and Pindigheab.

“Saplings of different species like Chir, Pine, Robinia, Poplar, and others were being planted under the campaign in various parts of the district, especially Hassanabdal, Hazro, and Attock City,” he added.

Mr Raza further informed that the district administration was working to clean the city and has planted trees in public areas and on main roads in this regard.

On this occasion, on public demand, Mr Raza announced the establishment of a public park at the bank of the river Indus, the upgrade of the government elementary school, and the reconstruction of the Bagh Neelab-Sojahnda road.

Divisional Forest Officer Ishfaq Bashir Bhutta stated that Tehsil Forest Officers (TFOs) and other concerned officials had been directed to plant maximum saplings with the help and cooperation of civil society, officials, and students during the campaign.

Published in Dawn, March 10th, 2024