Islamabad: National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has said that trees are indispensable for environmental protection, maintaining ecological balance, ensuring a clean and healthy environment and sustaining life on Earth.
In his message on the occasion of National Plantation Day, observed across the country on August 18 every year, the Speaker said Pakistan was facing serious challenges including climate change, rising temperatures, water scarcity, environmental pollution and floods.
He said promoting tree plantation and increasing forest cover should be made a national priority to effectively address these challenges.
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said trees help keep the air clean, provide oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide, prevent soil erosion, facilitate the absorption of rainwater into the ground, protect water resources and promote biodiversity.
He said unchecked deforestation and declining green cover reduced the land's capacity to absorb water and consequently increased the risk of flooding during heavy rains.
The Speaker stressed that protecting forests, safeguarding rivers and natural waterways and undertaking large-scale plantation were essential to reduce flood risks and strengthen ecosystems.
He emphasized that plantation was not merely about planting trees, as proper care, protection and healthy growth of saplings were 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.
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq called for further strengthening government measures for environmental protection, promotion of forests and mitigation of climate change impacts.
He said federal and provincial governments, local governments, educational institutions, the private sector and civil society should work together through a coordinated strategy to ensure the success of plantation campaigns.
He said Parliament was committed to legislation aimed at environmental protection, addressing climate change impacts and ensuring sustainable use of natural resources.
The Speaker said environmental protection was the collective responsibility of all citizens and called for planting more trees, protecting them and keeping the environment clean.
He said a greener Pakistan was a guarantee of a healthy, secure and prosperous future.
Deputy Speaker National Assembly Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, in his message, said plantation was an effective means of protecting the environment and mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change.
He said protecting trees and planting more saplings was a collective responsibility and expressed the resolve that Parliament would continue its efforts to promote environmental protection and sustainable development.