The whole rural and urban population of the country would be urged to plant indigenous species of trees in their respective areas to combat adverse impacts of climate change. Federal Minister for Climate Change Zahid Hamid said this here on Thursday while addressing a press conference on inauguration of Green Pakistan Programme.
The Green Pakistan Programme has been launched simultaneously in all provinces and federating units, he said, adding that there is only five per cent forest cover in Pakistan, which is very less to combat adverse effects of climate change.
He said this programme is based on matching grant and all provinces responded positively on this suggestion to give matching grant of 50 per cent. The ECNEC has approved Rs 3.7 billion for forestry and Rs 1.3 billion for wildlife.
He further informed that the 9th February has been declared as "National Green Day" as over 100 universities also inaugurated this campaign that day. The main essence of this programme is to grow indigenous trees in Pakistan. This programme will be implemented through involving rural and urban population. In this regard, the Ministry of Climate Change is working very closely to civil society, international organisations and private sectors.
The federal minister also informed that Climate Change Policy is approved by the National Assembly and will be introduced in Senate next week. He also informed that National Forest Policy has been approved by the Council of Common Interests. He also emphasised that Pakistan is at 7th number on the list of countries mostly affected by climate change.
The Prime Minister's Focal Person on Climate Change said the Green Pakistan Programme is not only about numerical increase in trees but also changing the behaviour of the people regarding saving forestry. He also informed about the REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) Plus Programme. Under this programme, international fund is being created to give those local communities who save carbon by reducing deforestation. He also informed that under Green Pakistan Programme, 20 per cent will be flowering and fruit trees.
Earlier in the morning, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif formally launched Green Pakistan Programme by planting a tree at Prime Minister Office.
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