Pakistan set world record for tree plantation
KETI BANDAR/THATTA: Pakistan aimed to set a world record for tree plantation after having planted 532,887 trees on Wednesday.
The plantation was arranged by the Ministry of Environment as part of series of events being held to commemorate the National Year of Environment, also aimed at developing forest resources through international competitions.
The plantation kicked off at sunrise and culminated at sunset as per requirements of the Guinness Book of World Records (GWR), wherein the ministry is hopeful to touch the 0.6 million mark, making the target difficult-to-achieve.
The event was monitored by the IUCN representative Tahir Qureshi and independent monitor Marvi Memon, also nominated by of GWR.
Three hundred planters were selected from the local communities, who had been trained to plant maximum number of saplings in daylight, but the planters acted beyond the expectations, reportedly setting the world record by 1400 hours.
Through the plantation held at Keti Bandar, Tehsil Thatta, some 150 kilometres in the southeast of Karachi, Pakistan broke the Indian record of 4,47,874 trees which is followed by the Mexican record of planting 3,48,493 trees on June 12 this year.
Federal Minister for Environment Hameedullah Jan Afridi, provincial ministers and officials of the concerned ministry were also present on the occasion.
The tree plantation drive is also in accordance with the government’s resolve to rehabilitate mangrove forests of Sindh, in partnership with Sindh Forest Department, international and national NGOs and the private sector.
In view of global significance of mangrove forests, particularly in the context of the tsunami of 2005, the event was planned in the Mangrove areas on the coastal line of Sindh, which is presently devoid of vegetation.
The awareness and motivation generated as a result of GWR event shall be geared towards holding another event on August 18, 2009. The plants planted under both these events will also be counted towards UN Environmental Programme (UNEP)’s Billion Trees Campaign.
‘The Ministry will also look after the site for three years to ensure maximum survival of saplings,’ said an official of the ministry.
Federal Minister for Environment Hameedullah Jan Afridi said the ministry is expected to receive a certification that would follow the holding of Best Planter event in which a person would plant maximum saplings in the desert.
He said the 51 acres of land which was allocated for the plantation has been filled; however, he added that the additional land is available for plantation of more saplings.
He said as per requirement, all 300 planters are wearing green jackets and were divided into 15 groups and added that the record of plantation at the end of each hour was maintained. —APP
This is very good news. Ideally if the trees are taken care for 2 years (watered and protected) then the rest is OK, they can survive.
"Ali Baba and 40 thieves" are now "Ali Baba and 30 thieves" ; 10 were laid off.
..........ahan!!.........thtz great!!.........
‘The Ministry will also look after the site for three years to ensure maximum survival of saplings,’
how many of those 1/2 million will make it after 3 years? is their irrigation planned? r they protected from grazing? r they planted in the right soil? since that mangrove area was devastated by the tsunami=salt water. that salt water contaminated the mangrove and no other trees were able to grow afterward (quote: 'which is presently devoid of vegetation' unquote).
keep on the hard work.
Agree with BritExpat on the deforestaion is going on at a higher rate that plantation.
During my Voluntary work in the Asian Earth Quake of 2005, I had the chance to travel to Kashmir and the North Eastern Pakistan.
I recall when I was standing across the border with India and the Pakistan side there was hardly any trees left on the hills on the Pakistani side, where as across the border in the Indian Administered Kashmir every thing was green and it was of one the reason why there was less destruction on the Indian side.
When I asked the Army Brigadier accompanying us why so much deforestation on the Pakistani side. His answer was that to stop the milliatnts crossing in and out of the Indian side?
Anyway good that they are planting more trees...:)
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HE WHO DARES WINS
and excellent...
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Have Courage To Live.
Anyone Can Die.
About time too. pakistan has been one of the biggest culprits when it comes to deforestation and illegal logging, especially in Kashmir.
Dats gr8 New:)
532,887 trees! Wow!:)
glade to know..
this is very nice
slow news night?
last time Pak embassy rejected my application
All i wanted was to participate in Lahore flower show
thats great news