ISLAMABAD, Feb 13 (NNN-APP) – Pakistani Prime Minister, Imran Khan, yesterday, launched a countrywide spring tree plantation drive, in urban areas, to curb the growing smog pollution in the country.
Addressing the launching ceremony in the country’s east Lahore city, Khan said, planting trees is one of the long-term plans of his government, to secure the future of coming generations by protecting them from the adverse effects of climate change.
Khan cited China’s example of planting trees at a massive level, to control pollution and provide a clean environment to its people.
Calling China’s development a “miracle,” Khan said, the Chinese leadership did long-term planning, to bring prosperity to the country, and to address the issue of deforestation caused by industrialisation, it paid attention to urban plantation.
“China is also growing jungles and is declaring its cities as green cities, to secure the future of its coming generations,” Khan added.
The Pakistani prime minister said, Lahore’s green cover vanished by 70 percent, during the last 12-13 years. Resultantly, the skyline of the city was engulfed by smog, even in Feb, which otherwise is used to be the best month of the year in the city.
He said, he would also visit plantation sites in other areas and announced plans to launch a “silent revolution” of massive olive plantations by next week, to reduce the import bill of edible oils and to enhance exports.– NNN-APP
