PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur has issued orders for afforestation in urban areas during the current spring season.

The orders were formally conveyed by the Chief Minister’s Secretariat to the forestry and environment, and local government departments, according to an official statement issued here on Friday.

The letter emphasised that the afforestation process in urban and peri-urban areas should consider ecological balance, environmental, aesthetic, economic and sociological aspects.

“Trees and plants should be selected according to the local climate and weather conditions of urban and suburban areas. The trees chosen should require minimal maintenance and should be beneficial for biodiversity and environmental stability,” it read.

The letter added that keeping in view the limited space in urban areas and the challenge of environmental pollution, the need for planting relatively larger trees instead of smaller plants had been stressed.

It said special attention should be given to planting fruit-bearing trees alongside common trees in urban areas.

The CM Secretariat directed the departments to carry out maximum afforestation along roadsides, canals, public parks, gardens and intersections.

It said in densely populated areas, the implementation of Miyawaki plantation techniques and vertical forests had already been mandated.

The CM Secretariat said the forestry and local government departments should maintain close coordination with relevant departments to ensure effective and long-lasting implementation of the urban afforestation campaign.

It added that energy conservation, reduction of urban temperatures and carbon effects and prevention of soil erosion should be taken into account during the afforestation process.

“All afforestation activities in urban areas must align with the Urban Forest Policy,” it said.

The CM Secretariat directed the local government department to ensure the utilisation of all government land and open spaces for tree plantation and said municipal authorities should enforce afforestation conditions for new and ongoing development projects.

It said authorities should establish an effective monitoring system to ensure the proper implementation of the chief minister’s directives.

“A detailed report on the progress of the urban plantation campaign, tree maintenance, and related matters should be submitted,” read the letter.

Published in Dawn, March 1st, 2025