Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari officially inaugurated the Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign 2024 on August 18, emphasizing the critical role of forestry in Pakistan’s environmental and development agendas. The campaign aims to significantly increase the nation’s forest cover, currently at a mere 5%, and involves numerous initiatives including the Upscaled Green Pakistan Programme and the Delta Blue Carbon project.

According to Pakistan Peoples Party, President Zardari commended the Pakistani people for their dedication to environmental conservation and highlighted several key achievements of recent forestry initiatives. He noted that the Delta Blue Carbon initiative has been particularly successful, with a 300% increase in mangrove cover since 1990 and over 2 million new mangroves planted in Sindh. These efforts have not only combated climate change but also generated significant revenue through the international carbon credit market.

The president also mentioned the award-winning ‘Living Indus Program’, which aims to curb deforestation and has been recognized with the UN Decade of Restoration Flagship Award. President Zardari called for broad community engagement in these initiatives, stressing the importance of educating the younger generation about the vital role forests play in mitigating climate change and sustaining the environment.

Urging all citizens, especially the youth, to participate in the tree planting efforts, President Zardari framed the campaign as a testament to Pakistan’s commitment to sustainability and a love for the natural world that sustains life and prosperity in the country.