By Ashrafuddin Pirzada
PESHAWAR: In a major step towards addressing climate change and enhancing urban greenery, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government will launch a 60-day urban plantation campaign in Peshawar starting from July 15.
Commissioner Peshawar Division Riaz Mehsud, while chairing a high-level meeting on Tuesday, said that the drive is being carried out on the special directives of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.
He said the initiative aims to plant thousands of tall trees and various plant species along six major roads of the provincial capital. These include Ring Road from Pir Zakori Bridge to Hayatabad, Charsadda Road, GT Road from Chamakni to Karkhano Market, Dilazak Road from Bacha Khan Chowk to Kabootar Chowk on Ring Road, Warsak Road from Machni Gate to Ring Road and Kohat Road from Ramdas Chowk to Ghari Qamardin Bridge.
Officials from the district administration, Peshawar Development Authority (PDA), Local Government Department and Forest Department have been formed to oversee the implementation. The committee has already identified suitable vacant spaces along the selected roads for plantation.
The meeting was told that each plant would be at least 8 feet tall. The PDA would be responsible for the maintenance and protection of the trees, for which forest guards would be deployed. Daily watering of the plants would also be ensured by PDA, while contractors would be required to replace any damaged or dead plants for up to three years after plantation.
To ensure the selection of appropriate tree species suitable for Peshawar’s climate and soil, the core committee visited Pattoki in Punjab and finalized the list of trees and plants to be used in the campaign.
The meeting was also attended by Secretary Forests Shahid Zaman, Chief Conservator Forests, DG PDA Muhammad Naeem, additional deputy commissioner Peshawar Babar Khan Tanoli and other senior officials. The committee shared a detailed briefing on the plantation strategy, and formal recommendations have been prepared for final approval by the Chief Minister.
The plantation campaign comes at a time when Pakistan remains one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Rising temperatures, deforestation and rapid urbanization have led to increased risks of floods, heatwaves and poor air quality in major cities, including Peshawar.
Experts believe that large-scale urban tree planting is one of the most effective ways to combat the urban heat island effect, improve air quality and promote environmental sustainability.
Once approved, the campaign would be officially launched on July 15 and continue until September 15, marking a significant step toward a greener and more climate-resilient Peshawar.
