LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry on Wednesday inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Commissioner, Lahore Division and Parks & Horticulture Authority (PHA) for much-needed plantation.
LCCI President Almas Hyder, Commissioner Lahore Division Dr. Mujtaba Paracha and Chairman PHA Yasir Gilani inked the accord. LCCI Vice President Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigal, LCCI Standing Committee on Environment Engineer Khalid Usman and EC Member Mian Zahid Javed were also present on the occasion.
According to the Memorandum of Understanding, the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry will provide 50,000 trees to the Commissioner Lahore Division and 50,000 trees to Chairman PHA for plantation within the Lahore Division.
The commissioner Lahore Division and Parks and Horticulture Authority will be responsible for maintenance of plants/trees ensuring their healthy growth. The Commissioner and Chairman PHA will carry out the afforestation drive using the trees provided by LCCI focusing on any area within Lahore Division. The Afforestation Area may include area along the Lahore Ring Road spanning over a stretch of 85 km. The office of the Commissioner will be responsible for monitoring the implementation of the afforestation drive.
LCCI President Almas Hyder said that Pakistan is one of those countries where deforestation and lack of awareness about plantation is leading to the climate changes and this issue should be taken very seriously.
“Trees combat climate change, clean the air, cool the weather, conserve energy, save water, help prevent water & air pollution, prevent soil erosion and create economic opportunities”, the LCCI President added.
Almas Hyder further stated that forests are equally important for the economic safety of the country. We have to recognize that forestry is an integral feature of sustainable economic development. He said that by developing forestry as a commercially viable sector, the country can make the agriculture sector stable and valuable for economy. He informed the house that the task has been given to Engineer Khalid Usman who is a dynamic person and have the abilities to complete the task successfully.
He hoped that MOU between Lahore Chamber, Commissioner Lahore Division and PHA will go a long way and will ensure clean and green Lahore besides creating awareness about the importance of plantation. Commissioner Lahore Division Dr. Mujtaba Paracha lauded the gesture of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry. He said that other government machinery and departments would be involved to maximize the result of afforestation drive.
The Commissioner said that deforestation is leading to environmental disorder therefore joint efforts from public and private sectors are need of the hour. He said that around 75% trees in Lahore are finished during the last 10 to 15 years.
He said that to curb pollution and defeat smog menace in Lahore there is a need to grow dense tree plantation on massive level instead of ornamental plants and cooperation of Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry is of utmost importance.
