500,000 saplings to be planted during spring drive in Islamabad

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) during the spring plantation drive launched under National Plantation Campaign will increase the green cover of the Capital City. The Civic body is working hard to increase the green cover of the Capital and to preserve its green character, said a spokesman of the CDA here on Saturday.
The campaign is continuation of "Clean and Green - Islamabad Campaign launched in 2008 aimed at planting 2.4 million saplings in three years, the spokesman said, adding that during the spring campaign 500,000 saplings will be planted. He said that out of total 500,000 saplings, 320,000 saplings would be planted in the suburban areas of the Capital, including Margallah Hills and Simly Catchments area. About 200,000 saplings would be planted in Margallah Hills as a part of efforts to further increase greenery in the Margallah Hills National Park, he added.
The CDA has also decided to plant trees in open spaces of the capital as after the construction of new roads a large number of trees were cut down, he said, adding that the areas marked for the purpose include avenues, green belts, Islamabad Highway, parks, payfields and new pectors of G-13, H-11, I-14, I-16 and D-12. He said that Islamabad is only planned city of Pakistan and its green character distinguishes it from other cities of the country. The clean and green environment of the capital city attracts a lot of people, which aggravates its scenic beauty, he added.