The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Forest Department planted 1.36 million saplings across the province as part of a mega plantation drive held in connection with Pakistan’s Defence Day.
The department had initially set a target of planting 1 million saplings. However, support from other government departments, local communities, and volunteers helped push the total to 1.36 million.
Billion Trees Afforestation Support Project (BTASP) Project Director Mohammad Junaid Dayar said the plantation drive was carried out at 196 sites across the province.
Of the total, Forest Department employees planted 813,881 saplings at 29 sites, while communities planted 555,577 saplings at 167 locations.
The campaign also included 96 plantation events aimed at restoring forests, increasing tree cover, and encouraging public participation in environmental protection.
As part of the campaign, the Peshawar Forest Division planted more than 50,000 saplings of different species in the Spinkhak area.
The activity was supervised by Divisional Forest Officer Mohammad Shakeel and Assistant Divisional Forest Officer Abdul Sattar.
Shakeel said the plantation would help improve environmental conditions in Peshawar and surrounding areas by increasing green cover, reducing air pollution, moderating local temperatures, and supporting the region’s ecological balance.
He added that Defence Day was a reminder that protecting the country also includes safeguarding its natural resources and environment for future generations.
According to Shakeel, Pakistan is facing challenges including climate change, rising temperatures, air pollution, water scarcity, and degradation of natural ecosystems, making sustained environmental action increasingly important.
He said the Spinkhak plantation was also intended as a green tribute to Pakistan’s martyrs and a pledge to protect the country’s natural environment for future generations.
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