PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has ordered the Forests and Environment Department and Local Governments to launch an urban tree plantation drive in this spring.
The Chief Minister’s Secretariat sent a letter to both departments with detailed instructions, saying that the use of mature trees over saplings and prefer indigenous species.
Authorities must consider climatic, environmental, aesthetic, economic, and social factors during plantation.
The Chief Minister said that only plants suited to the local climate should be used. He said that low-maintenance plants should be prioritised.
Trees that support biodiversity and environmental stability should be preferred.
Due to limited space and pollution, large trees should replace small ones in urban areas. “The plantation initiative must align with the principles of urban forestry which integrates the management of trees and forest resources in urban and peri-urban areas to enhance ecological balance, provide psychological, sociological, economic, aesthetic benefits and contribute to climate resilience,” read the letter.
The plantation strategy should include various types of urban forests such as roadside plantations, canal-side plantations, city parks, small parks/ gardens, trees along streets, public squares and peri-urban woodlands. Miyawaki plantations and vertical forests should also be considered for high-density urban areas, it added.
Fruit trees should be planted alongside regular trees.
Trees should be planted along roads, canals, parks, gardens, and intersections.
Densely populated areas should adopt Miyawaki and vertical forest methods.
The Forest Department and Local Governments must collaborate with other departments for effective execution.
The plantation process should focus on energy conservation, temperature reduction, carbon footprint reduction, and soil erosion prevention.
All activities must align with the Urban Forest Policy.
Local Governments must utilize all government lands and open spaces for plantation.
Municipal authorities must enforce tree plantation conditions in new and ongoing projects.
An effective monitoring system should track progress.
Departments must submit a detailed progress report on plantation efforts and tree care.
Both departments must integrate these directives into their plantation strategies and ensure strict implementation.
