KARACHI: Minister for Forests and Wildlife Nasir Shah asked the officials concerned on Monday to expedite their efforts to ensure that the provincial government’s Green Pakistan Programme was implemented in a way that served to make the country an environment-friendly place.

The minister presided over a meeting in his office to review progress vis-à-vis implementation of the Green Pakistan Programme.

“Every obstacle that comes in the way of this programme should be removed in soonest possible time,” said the minister when he was informed about various factors that hindered the programme’s smooth sailing.

The meeting reviewed the pace and progress of the urban forestation along the Lyari riverbank.

The minister said the scheme reflected the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party’s policy to support and encourage the efforts that were taken to improve environment in the province.

Progress on implementation of the Green Pakistan Programme reviewed

He said initiatives such as Green Pakistan Programme and urban forestation were the brainchildren of PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, whose vision was to improve the environment as a tool to improve the living standard of the people of Sindh.

He was informed about various issues that impeded the pace of the effort.

Mr Shah, however, warned the officials that no laxity would be tolerated that could delay the project.

He said the PPP leader had inaugurated the urban forestation project as a priority showing his immense interest in it because of its importance for the urban way of life.

“This programme should be completed in the soonest possible time in accordance with the vision of chairman Bilawal Bhutto,” said the minister.

He added that special measures be taken for nurturing saplings planted in the urban forests. Besides, the authorities should make available spaces dedicated for sporting activities.

“Providing places for sports should be an integral part of this project since the Lyari River represents Lyari, which is a place chiefly identified for its love of sports and sportspersons,” said the minister.

He said a playground for children also be provided on a location of urban forestation sites. Besides, jogging tracks and recreation facilities should be there to attract visitors and foreign tourists.

“These sites should attract tourists from elsewhere from the country and abroad. The authorities should call it People’s Urban Forests and that should be advertised with boards in the city.”

The minister said the urban forests should be visible to everyone for which the forest department should support every municipality.

“Tree plantation should be done along every thoroughfare, street and storm-water drain. Besides, saplings and plants be taken care of wherever they are planted.”

He said Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah would be requested to inaugurate a spring tree plantation campaign.

Minister Shah also directed the authorities to plant trees along the tracks of railway as well.

On journalist’s murder

Meanwhile, Nasir Shah visited the Karachi Press Club and attended the journalists’ protest outside the KPC where he assured the protesting journalists that killers of Aziz Memon, a reporter of the KTN news channel in Mehrabpur, who was murdered recently, would soon be arrested and punished.

He said the murder of a senior journalist had saddened everyone and everyone should condemn it. He said the late Mr Memon’s family would not be left alone and the government would accord all possible help to them.

Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2020