PESHAWAR: To mark the Pakistan Day, the provincial government has set an ambitious target of planting one million trees in a single day.
This will transform the national celebration into a powerful symbol of environmental responsibility to combat climate change. The campaign is being launched under the Green Khyber Pakhtunkhwa initiative.
The saplings will be planted across the province from the fertile plains of Peshawar to the mountainous valleys of Swat and Chitral to the vast lands of Dera Ismail Khan. Ahmad Jalil, Chief Conservator of Forests, said the campaign was meant to connect patriotism with environmental stewardship. “Pakistan Day commemorates the dream of an independent homeland,” he said. “By planting trees on this historic day, we want to ensure that future generations inherit a greener and healthier Pakistan,” he added.
“At exactly 9am on March 23, volunteers across the province will begin planting saplings provided by the Forest Department. The activity will continue throughout the day,” said Ahmad Jail.
He said forests played a crucial role in Pakistan’s environmental health.
He added that from the towering deodar forests of the Himalayas to mangroves along the Karachi coast, trees acted as natural protectors absorbing carbon dioxide, producing oxygen and improving rainfall patterns.
Environmental experts warned that deforestation and rapid urban growth weakened this natural shield, particularly in cities like Peshawar where air pollution levels had risen significantly.
According to environmental analysts, tiny particulate pollutants known as PM2.5 microscopic particles harmful to human health had reached levels far above recommended limits in the city’s air. Planting more canopy trees, experts said, was one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce such pollution.
Historically, the region once had dense forests.
In his memoir Baburnama, Mughal emperor Babur wrote about hunting lions in the forests around Peshawar, an indication of how lush the area once was.
Over the centuries, however, expanding populations, urban development and unchecked construction gradually reduced tree cover in Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera and Charsadda districts.
Environmentalists believed that restoring native trees such as shisham, siris and pipal was critical for bringing ecological balance back to the region.
To ensure transparency and accurate monitoring of the March 23 campaign, authorities have introduced a digital tracking system.
Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme Project Director Muhammad Junaid Diyar said a special mobile application and central dashboard would record every stage of the plantation process.
He added that volunteers would upload photos, videos and GPS locations of planted saplings in real time.
Even in remote areas where internet access is limited, data can be stored offline and uploaded later, he added.
“This will allow us to maintain a transparent record and ensure that every sapling planted is accounted for,” he explained.
What makes the campaign unique is its scale of public participation.
Schools, universities, government departments, Pakistan Railways, Motorway Police, and local communities will all take part.
For many participants, the act of planting a tree carries personal meaning in KP where teachers will encourage students to adopt saplings as living symbols of responsibility.
