CHARSADDA: To combat climate change and environmental degradation, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has launched the '2025 Billion Tree Tsunami Plus’ initiative, starting from the under-construction police lines in Charsadda. The initiative aims to raise awareness about afforestation and curb environmental pollution.
To mark the occasion, the district administration organized a special event at the police lines. Schoolchildren participated in an expressive display using flowers, saplings, and tree branches. The young participants held placards with slogans emphasizing the importance of trees, such as “Trees Are Life; Save Them” and “Let’s Plant Trees to Green the Earth.”
Raheel Zafar, a fifth-grade student, highlighted the significance of trees, stating that they are as essential as air and water, absorbing carbon dioxide while providing oxygen. According to research, a single mature tree can absorb approximately 22 kilograms of carbon dioxide annually and produce up to 118 kilograms of oxygen.
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Memona Shams, a student at Bacha Khan University, emphasized the mental and environmental benefits of greenery, noting that trees help reduce stress and purify the air. However, rapid urbanization is threatening Pakistan’s green cover. A recent study revealed a 33% reduction in the country’s forest area over the past decade, leading to an annual temperature increase of 0.5 degrees Celsius.
Despite these alarming trends, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Minister recently stated at the COP 23 conference in Islamabad that the province’s afforestation efforts exceed international standards, with forest cover now reaching 26.5% of the province’s total land area.
Deputy District Education Officer Nazakat Gulzar stressed the need to incorporate climate change and afforestation education into school curricula to instill environmental responsibility in students. Meanwhile, district authorities have requested over 100,000 saplings from the Forest Department, including eucalyptus, acacia, orange, lemon, and other fruit-bearing trees.
Last year, around 160,000 trees were planted in Charsadda, with a 60% success rate. The remaining 40% failed due to environmental factors, water shortages, and a lack of protection. This time, Deputy Commissioner Qaiser Khan assured that strict measures would be taken to safeguard the saplings and warned that those damaging trees would face legal action under forest protection laws.
The afforestation campaign will extend to hospitals, government offices, public spaces, and cemeteries, and authorities are urging citizens to participate actively. “If every Pakistani plants just five trees, we can reduce air pollution by 30%,” said DC Qaiser Khan, emphasizing that tree plantation is not solely a government duty but a shared responsibility for a sustainable future.
