Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Minister of State for Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, on Monday, launched the monsoon tree plantation campaign by planting a sapling here at the green-belt of Saidpur Village.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that plantation of trees and their preservation was a perpetual charity and the residents of the capital city should participate in this campaign so that the green character of Islamabad could be further enhanced. He said that in order to create awareness about the importance of environment among the children, tree plantation would be added in their curriculums. He said that the Prime Minister had allocated a special package of Rs. 5 billion for upgradation, renovation, beautification and uplift of all civic amenities in the federal capital. He added all roads were being up-graded, parks were being uplifted while all civic amenities were also being improved under this package. He said that the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) and the Capital development Authority (CDA) woud contribute collectively to make Islamabad more beautiful. He said that in order to eradicate pollen allergy from the city, the CDA is working on a comprehensive strategy. He said that under the strategy all trees which were causing pollen would be replaced by fruits and other indigenous plants including Chir Pine, Kachnar, Amaltas, Dhreak, Jacaranda, Olive and Jaman etc. The Mayor of Islamabad, Sheikh Ansar Aziz, said that the MCI was committed to make Islamabad more beautiful. He said that the maximum plantation of trees would purify the environment, which would help reduce the pollution in the city. He asked the residents to play their role in preservation of green character of the city so that desired results could be achieved from the campaign. Member Environment and Financial Adviser CDA, Sanaullah Aman said that comprehensive arrangements had been made to raise awareness in this regard so that maximum people could be involved in the plantation drive. He said that under the awareness campaign, posters, banners and streamers had been displayed in different areas of the city whereas car-stickers, paper-bags and badges carrying slogans for planting trees were also being distributed. He said that during the monsoon tree plantation drive, the CDA would plant 300,000 plant saplings in different areas of the city.

Sheikh Ansar Aziz, Deputy Mayors Azam Khan and Rifat Javed, ambassadors of different countries, vice chancellors of various universities, senior officials of the CDA and other government departments, representatives of NGOs, environmentalists, representatives of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industries and students of different educational institutes also participated in the inaugural ceremony and planted plant saplings on the occasion. PM announces Rs five million package: Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, said that THE PM had announced a package of Rs 5 million for environmental development in the capital. He urged that through this package Islamabad would get better. A large number of students were also present on the occasion.