Karachi Port Trust (KPT) adds another leaf to the clean and green initiative of honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Imran Khan, to start mangroves plantation campaign 2020-21 during an august ceremony held at a local hotel in Karachi today which was well attended by all the General Managers, senior and middle management officials of KPT besides media and other guests.
Highlighting on mangroves plantation importance, the Chairman KPT Rear Admiral (R) Jamil Akhtar has termed it extremely necessary for the ports and port cities to avoid national calamities like Tsunamis, Heat Waves, etc. Due to this very reason, “I would like to announce a full year Mangrove Plantation Campaign 2020-21 under which KPT will plant 100,000 mangroves every quarter”, added the Chairman KPT.
While sharing the details of the programme, he informed further that mangrove plantation will take place quarter-wise throughout the campaign year and side by side activities like public awareness campaign outreaching school children in second quarter, conferences and symposia arrangements in third quarter and marine eco-tourism entertainment for local hotels in fourth quarters have been scheduled under this campaign. Your participation in the betterment of natural environment would result in expansion of industrial setup linked with fishing community and trade which ultimately leads to creation of more job opportunities under healthy environment, the Chairman added.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the KPT General Manager Operations Rear Admiral Zaka ur Rehman spoke about global change that has taken place to cause 35% reduction in mangroves plantation. He informed the Chief Guest Chairman KPT Rear Admiral (R) Jamil Akhtar HI (M) T. Bt about safeguarding 1000 hectares mangroves forests falling in the domain of the port through such campaigns in past as regular feature.
He said participation of school children have though been avoided this time due to Covid-19 pandemic. Moreover, he shared information about providing lands to WWF at Sands Pit for mangroves plantation, Jinnah Naval Base, Pakistan Army Engineering Corp Rahimyar Khan and Pakistan Marine Academy in past for mangrove plantation.
Later, the chief guest Chairman KPT Rear Admiral (R) Jamil Akhtar performed the mangrove plantation along with media to conclude the proceedings of the day.
