Islamabad:Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr. Musadik Malik participated in a plantation drive organised by a beverages company in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency and the Capital Development Authority at Hill View Park in F-6/3 sector Thursday.
The plantation activity was conducted as part of the ministry’s broader afforestation campaign aimed at enhancing green spaces and improving the urban environment in the capital city. A painting competition was organised during the event in which students from various schools participated enthusiastically.
The paintings were prepared under the theme “Clean and Green Islamabad,” after which the students also took part in the plantation activity in the park. Dr. Musadik Malik planted a sapling during the drive and interacted with the participating students.
Appreciating the creativity and ideas expressed by the children, the minister said that children possess creativity, and ideas that society often overlooks, and stressed that such creativity must be nurtured and protected.
He said that the Ministry was committed to planting three trees for every allergenic paper mulberry tree cut down in Islamabad. The ongoing plantation campaign forms part of fulfilling that commitment. He appreciated private sector’s participation in the initiative and remarked that such partnerships should encourage other corporations to also come forward and fulfil their social and environmental responsibilities.
Commenting on the devastating impacts of climate change, the federal minister highlighted the destruction caused by recent floods and other natural disasters in Pakistan. He noted that more than 6,000 people lost their lives in recent floods, while millions were displaced and countless children lost valuable school time. Many children affected by climate disasters were never able to return to school.
