CDA starts National Tree Plantation drive

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has kicked off National Tree Plantation Drive in which it would plant 500,000 saplings to increase the green cover and preserve the green character of the Federal Capital. These 500,000 saplings would be planted in continuation of "Clean & Green - Islamabad" Campaign launched in Monsoon - 2008 and 2.4 million trees were to be planted in three years under the campaign, said Imtiaz Inayat Elahi, Chairman CDA here on Thursday.
Islamabad is the only planned city of Pakistan and its green character distinguishes it from other cities of the country, Elahi said, while addressing the launch of the Spring Tree Plantation Campaign - 2011. "Today's Green Islamabad is the outcome of laborious and consistent efforts of CDA employees, which they made during the last 50 years in planting, protecting and nourishing the trees in the capital," the CDA Chief said, adding that more than 50 per cent plants out of total sapling have grown due to strict monitoring and further measures would be taken to improve survival rate of the saplings.
Elahi said CDA is working hard to increase the green cover and preserve the green character of the Federal Capital and during the Campaign 180,000 sapling would be planted in the urban areas of the Capital, whereas 320,000 saplings would be planted in the suburbs. Out of 320,000, 200,000 trees would be planted in Margallah Hills, as a part of efforts to further increase greenery in the Margallah Hills National Park, whereas 120,000 saplings would be planted in the Simly Catchments, he added.
Chairman CDA said that CDA is focusing on planting the indigenous species, especially fruit and flowering trees including Chir, Pine, Kachnar, Amaltas, Dhreak, Jacaranda, Olive and Jaman etc. He said that strict monitoring of the planted saplings would be carried out to ensure their maximum survival.
He said that CDA actively participates in National Tree Plantation drive during each planting season and also invites general public, educational institutions, NGOs, government employees, traders, environmentalists and members of the sectors citizens committees, representatives of ICT administration, Islamabad Police, to make the campaigns a success.
The Chairman CDA lauded the participation of Islamabad Horticulture Society (IHS) in the campaign and said that IHS has been playing its pivotal role in promotion of tree plantation campaign and flowers production. CDA Environment Wing displayed posters, banners and streamers in different areas of the city and car-stickers, paper-bags and badges carrying slogans for planting trees and other informative material have been distributed.
On Thursday, CDA has also organised Clean & Green - Islamabad Walk from Saudi Pak Tower to Faisal Avenue Underpass titled "Walk for a Cause" as a part of a comprehensive awareness campaign for the Spring Tree Plantation 2011. The Chairman CDA, Imtiaz Inayat Elahi led the walk, participated by the students, NGOs, representatives of traders associations, civil society, sector citizens committees, representatives of ICT administration, Islamabad Police environmentalists, members of the CDA Board and a large number of CDA employees.