How Many Trees Have Been Planted in Pakistan?

Pakistan is a country that has been facing various environmental challenges, including deforestation, pollution, and climate change. In recent years, the government of Pakistan has initiated several tree plantation campaigns to address the issue of deforestation and promote sustainable forestry. These campaigns aim to plant millions of trees each year and improve the country's forest cover. But the question is, how many trees have been planted in Pakistan so far?

The Billion Tree Tsunami

In 2014, the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) launched the "Billion Tree Tsunami" campaign to plant one billion trees across the province. The initiative was aimed at restoring the degraded forests, increasing biodiversity, mitigating the effects of climate change, and providing socio-economic benefits to local communities. The campaign was a massive success and achieved its target in August 2017, two months ahead of the deadline. As of 2021, the KPK government claims that it has planted over 1.18 billion trees in the province, including 220 million in the last year.

Ten Billion Tree Tsunami

Buoyed by the success of the Billion Tree Tsunami in KP, the federal government of Pakistan launched the "Ten Billion Tree Tsunami" campaign in 2018. The campaign aimed to plant ten billion trees across the country by 2023, which would increase the country's forest cover from 5% to 15%. The campaign is being implemented in phases and involves planting trees in national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, farmlands, urban areas, and other public spaces. According to the government's latest report, over 3.3 billion trees have been planted under the campaign so far, and the total tree cover has increased by 6%.

The Challenges and Achievements

Planting billions of trees across a vast and diverse country like Pakistan is not an easy task. The country faces several challenges, including scarcity of water, low public awareness, inadequate funding, and lack of political will. However, the government's aggressive tree plantation campaigns have generated a lot of public support, and many private organizations and individuals have also joined the cause. The campaigns have created thousands of jobs for local communities, improved the air and water quality, and provided habitat for wildlife. Pakistan has also received global recognition for its efforts and was invited to speak at the United Nations Climate Action Summit in 2019.

The Way Forward

The tree plantation campaigns in Pakistan have set a new benchmark for the world in terms of scale and impact. However, the country needs to sustain its efforts to achieve its ambitious targets and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. The government should focus on improving the survival rate of the planted trees, promoting native species, developing drip irrigation systems, and involving the local communities in the decision-making process. Additionally, Pakistan should explore new financing models, such as carbon credits, to attract more investments and achieve sustainable economic growth.

In conclusion, Pakistan has made significant strides in terms of tree plantation, and the government's efforts have created a positive impact on the country's environment and communities. However, there is still a long way to go to achieve a sustainable and resilient future for Pakistan. By continuing to plant millions of trees each year, Pakistan can become a role model for other countries and contribute to building a greener and healthier planet.