KHYBER/DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The district administration in collaboration with agriculture and forest departments launched ‘billion tree plus plantation’ campaign in different parts of Khyber.

Deputy Commissioner retired Capt Sanaullah Khan planted an olive sapling at Khyber House compound to inaugurate the monsoon plantation drive.

In Landi Kotal, the assistant commissioner, Adnan Mumtaz Khattak, the additional assistant commissioner Rameez Ali Shah and district youth officer Sajid Afridi engaged a group of schoolchildren, both boys and girls, along with volunteers to launch the campaign in Kakar locality of Kam Shalman on Thursday.

Officials said that Schoolchildren braved the scorching heat and took keen interest in the plantation campaign while planting 450 samplings on the first day. The students and young volunteers on the occasion assured officials that they would take care of the planted saplings.

Officials said that another 270 sampling would be planted in Adalkhad village near Landi Kotal bazaar with more plantation planned for official buildings including district headquarters hospital, basic health centres, schools and colleges along with offices of assistant commissioner and tehsil municipal administration.

Officials of agriculture department said that they were in the forefront of the campaign and they were focused on enhancing the number of olive orchards. They said that thousands of new olive plants would be planted in different parts of Bara and Tirah.

In Tank, a ceremony was at the office of deputy commissioner held to launch monsoon tree plantation campaign. Deputy Commissioner Tanvir Khan inaugurated the campaign by planting saplings.

The additional deputy commissioner, Nematullah Kundi, the additional assistant commissioner, Jamshed Alam, district youth officer Razaullah and district forest officer Tator Aban also planted saplings on the occasion.

The deputy commissioner said that trees would lessen the impacts of climate change.

He instructed officials to make the campaign a success. He stressed the need for coordinated efforts to educate people about the importance of trees.

He asked other departments to cooperate with forest department to make the country clean and green.

The deputy commissioner said that currently a number of countries were facing environmental challenges, posing a potential threat to survival of mankind.

He added that effective measures were needed to overcome the issue of climate change.

Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2024