ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National Heritage and Culture Attaullah Tarar on Monday stressed that he will address the looming challenge of climate change and stressed the critical need to plant a significant number of trees for the sake of future generations.
Speaking at a ceremony organized by the Capital Development Authority in Margalla Hills, Tarar highlighted the commitment of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Government of Pakistan to sustain the environment in Islamabad by promoting extensive tree plantations. He hailed Islamabad as one of the most beautiful cities in the country, with the Margalla National Park serving as a prized asset.
Tarar highlighted that Islamabad has better air quality compared to other cities and argued that planting more trees would further improve the environment. He lamented that though Pakistan contributes only 2% of global carbon emissions, it bears 90% of the adverse effects of climate change.
Calling for international cooperation, Tarar urged countries with high carbon emissions to work with Pakistan to combat the effects of climate change. He urged the people of Islamabad to actively participate in the plantation and announced the launch of an app that will allow them to track the growth of the trees they plant.
Highlighting the vital link between human survival and large-scale tree planting, Tarar appealed to electronic media channels to allocate prime time for discussions on combating climate change. He urged the Pakistan Broadcasters Association to organize special segments of talk shows to create public awareness about the importance of tree plantations.
Tarar announced a ‘tree selfie’ campaign on social media to promote tree planting and suggested a plan for ministries to plant trees and share selfies with planted saplings to inspire public participation. He advocated the launch of a green roof project in the capital that would revolutionize urban plantation efforts. In conclusion, Tarar emphasized the collective responsibility for the protection and promotion of Margalla National Park, stressing that the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the consequences of human encroachment on nature.
