The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Commissioner's office and Pakistan Horticulture Authority for plantation of one million plants. This was decided at a meeting held between LCCI President Almas Hyder and Commissioner Lahore Dr Mujtaba Paracha and Chairman Pakistan Horticulture Authority (PHA) Yasir Gilani at the Lahore Chamber on Monday while the LCCI office-bearers, representatives from forest department and Lahore Biennale Foundation were also present on the occasion.
The Commissioner said that deforestation is leading to environmental disorder therefore joint efforts from public and private sectors are need of the hour. He said that around 75 percent trees in Lahore have finished during the last 10 to 15 years.
He said there is a need to grow dense tree plantation on massive level instead of ornamental plants and the cooperation of Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry is of utmost importance in this regard.
He said the government departments were also working for tree plantation under the Clean and Green Punjab campaign and would put their full swing cooperation to the civil society. He said different empty areas of Lahore had been identified by the department for tree plantation and those areas could also be provided to the civil society. He said that on Bullay Shah Interchange of Lahore Ring Road, Bab-e-Pakistan, Saggian, Niazi Interchange, empty place of railways and both sides of canal, massive tree plantation was recommended as these places were available for stakeholders to begin their work.
LCCI President Almas Hyder said that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry would extend all possible cooperation for forestation. He said it is our basic responsibility to secure the environment for our future generations. Forests are the backbone of economy, but forests in Pakistan are shrinking due to deforestation and leaving its adverse impact on the environment. He said government must support plantation drive. He said a chunk of land is available at Lahore-Sialkot Motorway, Ferozepur Road and other parts of the city for plantation. "Forests are not only safeguarding biodiversity and acting as a shield against climate changes but are also equally important for the economic safety of the country," he added.