How Many Trees Has Pakistan Planted?

Pakistan, a country located in South Asia, has been facing severe environmental issues for years, including deforestation, air pollution, and desertification. However, in recent years, Pakistan has taken a significant step towards improving its environment by launching various tree plantation campaigns. Let's explore how many trees Pakistan has planted so far to combat climate change.

The Billion Tree Tsunami Afforestation Project

Pakistan's largest plantation drive, 'The Billion Tree Tsunami Afforestation Project,' was launched in 2014 in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province (KPK). The project's goal was to plant one billion trees in five years and to restore forests and degrade land in the region. The project's success led to the government's decision to extend it to other provinces in the country.

According to the Ministry of Climate Change, the project has successfully achieved its target of planting one billion trees by August 2019, two years before its deadline. The project also exceeded its goal, achieving a total of 1.5 billion trees planted in the KPK province alone.

Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme

Building on the success of the previous project, Pakistan launched the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme in 2018. The project aims to plant ten billion trees by 2023 across the entire country. It is said to be the world's largest afforestation project, with a total cost of $1.1 billion.

The project's progress is being monitored through satellite imagery to ensure transparency and accountability. According to the latest report by the Ministry of Climate Change, as of August 2021, around 3.48 billion trees have been planted under the programme across the country, surpassing the annual target of 3.29 billion trees for the year 2020-21.

Impact of Tree Plantation

The tree plantation campaigns have a significant impact on Pakistan's environment, including reducing carbon emissions, controlling soil erosion, promoting biodiversity, and improving air quality. The tree plantation campaigns also provide employment opportunities to local people and enhance the country's economy.

Moreover, the billion tree plantation campaign has gained international recognition, and the efforts made by Pakistan have been appreciated worldwide, including by the United Nations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Pakistan's tree plantation campaigns, including the billion and ten billion tree plantation projects, have been successful in restoring the country's forest cover and combating climate change. The ten billion tree plantation programme is ongoing, and it is hoped that it will continue to prosper, contributing to Pakistan's economic development and improving the country's environment in the future.