PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to plant 2.6 million saplings, both regular and fruit-bearing, during the spring plantation campaign launched across the province on Sunday.

Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur launched the Spring 2025 Tree Plantation Campaign by planting a sapling on the lawns of the CM House.

A statement issued from the chief minister`s secretariat said that teams of the forest and environment departments and Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) would plant 892,000 saplings in central-southern forest region, 1,057,000 saplings in northern forest region and 864,000 in Malakand forest region.

`To achieve this target, two million saplings will be distributed among the public for plantation while the forest department itself would plant 560,000 saplings,` the statement said.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Gandapur said that tree plantation was the most effective way to combat the impact of climate change, and urged citizens to play their role in this crucial initiative.

He also directed the officials concerned to prioritise environment-friendly and fruit-bearing trees in the plantation drive. He also emphasised the need for planting trees within educational institutions and ensuring proper care of the saplings.

Mr Gandapur termed the tree plantation as a national duty, and urged the public to actively participate in the campaign to achieve its objectives. He also reaffirmed his government`s commitment to transforming the province into a green region, in line with the vision of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf founding chairman Imran Khan.

The chief minister also launched a special tree plantation drive under PDA.

Officials informed Mr Gandapur that under this initiative, 82,544 saplings would be planted in the provincial capital along with 480,000 seasonal plants, which would be planted twice a year.

They said the plantations would be carried out in Hayatabad, Regi Model Town, GT Road, Jamrud Road, RingRoad,Motorway, andNorthernBypass. Additionally, 1,300 climbers would be planted on BRT flyovers and pillars.

Provincial minister for local government Arshad Ayub, special assistant to the CM for environment and forests Musawir Khan, senior officials from the environment and forest department and PDA were also in attendance.

Meanwhile, the spring plantation drive was inaugurated during a ceremony held at the divisional forest office in Battagram, marking the commencement of a concerted effort to promote reforestation and environmental conservation in the district.

MPA Taj Mohammad Khan, divisional forest officer Sheryar Khan, sub-divisional forest officer Iftikhar Ahmed and other officials were in attendance.

Free saplings were also distributed among people.

On the occasion, DFO Sheryar Khan emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in planting saplings andconservingforests.

He underscored the significance of plantation in mitigating climate change, improving air quality, and preventing soil erosion.

MPA Taj Mohammad underscored the government`s proactive approach to planting more saplings and conserving forests.