Mingora, Swat: Civil society members and environmental activists have initiated a container plantation drive in Mingora Main Bazar, aiming to beautify the city and raise awareness about plantation and climate change. The drive was inaugurated by two renowned local heroes of plantation, Mr. Muhammad Hilal Humanist and Qari Fazal Wahab, in a ceremony that highlighted the importance of greenery in urban spaces.
The organizers distributed 20 plants in containers to shop owners, who will be responsible for their upkeep. This initiative not only seeks to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the bazar but also to encourage local businesses to contribute to environmental preservation.
Mr. Aziz Ulhaq, a well-known eco-system restoration activist and organizer of the event, emphasized the need for a shift in public mentality towards the environment. “We are planting plants in the market, but our purpose is to change the mentality of the people about the eco-system,” he said. “People invest millions in their businesses but can’t afford a single penny to put a plant in front of their business center; we have to work for a good cause.”
Mr. Rahman Ali, a social activist and member of the climate change warriors, lamented the lack of greenery in a city of 0.7 million people. “It is very unfortunate that the city has very few plants,” he stated. “You may travel in an air-conditioned car, but you can’t survive for a few minutes in the scorching hot weather of Mingora city.”
Emerging scientist and climate change warrior Mr. Azan Karam highlighted the selection of Bougainvillea for the container plantation due to its aesthetic appeal and resilience to pollution. “We selected Bougainvillea for the container plantation as it is aesthetically very attractive and resilient to pollution,” he explained, stressing the urgent need for widespread plantation efforts across the country.
The local shop owners expressed their satisfaction with the initiative, praising the efforts of the social activists and committing to protect the plants. This collaborative effort between activists and the business community marks a significant step towards a greener and more sustainable Mingora.
