RAWALPINDI: As many as 200,000 saplings were planted in connection with the International Day of Forests in Rawalpindi and Attock on Friday.

The drive was launched at Allama Iqbal Park to restore the natural beauty of the area.

According to a statement, the district administration had arranged various events on the instructions of the Punjab government.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema inaugurated the campaign while Member National Assembly (MNA) Tahira Aurangzeb, members of the provincial assembly including Muhammad Hanif Advocate, Ziaullah Shah and others were present on the occasion.Senior officials of Parks and Horticulture Authority Rawalpindi also participated.

Participants said a greener Punjab was their goal and civil society organisations, students and youth should participate in this plantation campaign.

Mr Cheema said that severe weather effects can be controlled only with the help of forests.

He said that due to the rapidly expanding housing societies, the natural forests and trees were being cut down.

He said this was why average seasonal temperatures were recording a sharp rise in the last few years.

He said that the district administration was aware of its responsibilities and was playing its role in providing a green environment to the citizens of Rawalpindi and its surround-ings. He said that the current severe weather impacts require everyone to conduct afforestation on an emergency basis and this would be only possible if everyone indulges in environment-friendly practices.

He also requested the students and youth to help the district administration in the plantation drive and ensure that the dream of a greener Punjab is achieved.

Meanwhile, the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) also launched a plantation campaign in the garrison city. Wasa Managing Director Muhammad Saleem Ashraf planted a sapling in connection with the tree plantation campaign at Wasa offices.

Director Admin Wasa Muhammad Umar Farooq and other staff and officers participated in the drive.

MD WASA said Wasa Rawalpindiwill fully participate in the campaign launched by the Punjab government.

`A complete and comprehensive programme has been prepared in this regard, according to which saplings will be planted in the Wasa office.

The target of planting more than 100 saplings on the first day of the campaign has been completed, he said. The campaign is expected to continue in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) organised a `Plant for Pakistan`event.

Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Culture, Shazia Rizwan participated in the event accordingtoapressrelease.

The purpose of the event was to promote environmental awareness and encourage citizens to take practical steps toward protecting the environment, the statement said.On the other hand, the Attock district administration observed International Forests Day by kicking off a spring plantation drive.

The campaign aimed to raise awareness about the crucial role of forests in mitigating the impacts ofclimate change.

The tree plantation drive was inaugurated by Rawalpindi Division Commissioner Engineer Aamir Khattak. He planted a sapling at the Pir Mehr Ali Shah Agricultural University campus Attock.