By Adnan Rafique
ISLAMABAD: Speaker of National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has said that trees are indispensable for environmental protection, maintaining ecological balance and ensuring a clean, healthy environment and the survival of life on earth.
Pakistan is facing serious challenges, including climate change, rising temperatures, water scarcity, environmental pollution and floods. To effectively address these challenges, promoting tree plantation and increasing forest cover must be made a national priority.
He expressed these views in his message on the occasion of National Plantation Day, observed across the country on August 18 every year.
Ayaz Sadiq said that trees not only help keep the air clean, provide oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide, but also play a vital role in preventing soil erosion, facilitating the absorption of rainwater into the ground, protecting water resources and promoting biodiversity.
He said that unchecked deforestation and the reduction of green cover adversely affect the land’s capacity to absorb water, consequently increasing the risk of flooding during heavy rains. Ayaz Sadiq stressed that protecting forests, safeguarding rivers and natural waterways, and undertaking large-scale plantation are essential measures to reduce flood risks and strengthen ecosystems.
The Speaker emphasized that plantation is not merely about planting trees; ensuring their proper care, protection and healthy growth is equally important. He urged the public, particularly the youth, to actively participate in plantation campaigns and consider the protection and care of planted saplings a national responsibility.
Ayaz Sadiq stressed the need to further strengthen the measures being taken by the government for environmental protection, promotion of forests and mitigation of the impacts of climate change.
He said that the success of plantation campaigns requires the federal and provincial governments, local governments, educational institutions, the private sector and civil society to work together through a coordinated and joint strategy.
He emphasized that, alongside increasing forest cover, integrated measures are essential to protect existing forests, restore natural waterways and ensure effective water management in order to address the impacts of climate change and secure a safe environment for future generations.
Ayaz Sadiq said that Parliament is committed to legislation aimed at protecting the environment, addressing the impacts of climate change and ensuring the effective and sustainable use of natural resources.
He said that environmental protection is not the responsibility of any single institution or government but a collective responsibility of all. Every citizen should play their part by planting more trees, protecting them and keeping the environment clean.
He said that a greener Pakistan is the guarantee of a healthy, secure and prosperous future.
On the occasion, Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, in his message, said that plantation is an effective means of protecting the environment and mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change.
He said that protecting trees and planting more saplings is a collective responsibility.
Mustafa Shah said that restoration of forests and protection of the natural environment can help reduce the risks posed by floods and other climate-related disasters.
He expressed the resolve that Parliament would continue its efforts to promote environment-friendly initiatives, environmental protection and sustainable development.
