Achievement of 'Billion Tree Tsunami' target: government urged to plan trees along motorways, railway tracks

Target of 'Billion Tree Tsunami' could be achieved by launching linear tree plantation along 4260 KM long motorway and 11881 KM long railway track in Pakistan.

Addressing a meeting of the Research and Development Department, Engineer Ahmad Hassan, former Vice President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) said that the climate change has become one of the biggest challenges to the existence of mother earth. He said that well established economies have taken intensive measures to control the growing pollution but it is very difficult for the fragile economies like Pakistan to enhance its depleting forest cover and maintain the existing pattern of socio economic life without any ill impact on economic growth due to growing pollution.

Continuing, he said that Pakistan is basically an agriculture country and melting of glaciers and gradual increase in temperature has disturbed the entire crop pattern as well as our crop production.

"Water scarcity has also become a major threat which may also complicate the health related issues due to the non-availability of potable water," he added.

Regarding tree plantation, he appreciated the 'Billion Tree Tsunami Campaign launched by Prime Minister Imran Khan, but expressed apprehensions that due to the social attitude and mindset, general public is reluctant to protect the newly planted saplings and hence their mortality rate jumps to more than 90 percent in specific areas particularly in urban areas.

He said that government has been providing incentive to the farming community as well as civil society to contribute their voluntary role in enhancing forest cover within the country. He said that plants need full protection until they become mature by developing their roots up to the underground water level and for this situation, the government must concentrate on planting trees along motorways and railway tracks which are well protected.

He said that for the irrigation of these saplings innovative approach of trickle down irrigation system could be adopted to avoid unnecessary wastage of water. He also proposed that the government select such varieties of trees which could bear fruits throughout the country in according to their regional and climatic ecology.

"These fruits could not only be marketed in fresh form but also be utilized in along value added chain of processed food," he added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019