Peshawar: A delegation from Saudi Arabia visited forest plantation sites and nurseries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) to gain insights into afforestation projects, with the intention of replicating similar efforts in the Kingdom. This visit aligns with the Saudi government’s ambitious plan to plant 10 billion trees as part of the “Saudi Green Initiative.”
The delegation consisted of officials from the National Centre for Vegetation Cover, Development, and Combating Desertification of the Saudi government, demonstrating the commitment to environmental sustainability.
Amjid Sadeeqi, leading the Saudi delegation, expressed their purpose, stating, “We are visiting the forest areas to see the plantation made by the KP government under its forestation projects to become familiar with the challenges faced in their execution.”
He further shared that the delegation was notably impressed with the progress achieved by the Climate Change, Forest, and Environment Department of KP. Despite limited resources, the department has successfully expanded green cover across significant areas in the province.
On their visit, the delegation explored Chandan Garhi, situated on the outskirts of the provincial capital. Here, over 2,500 hectares of land have been adorned with trees as part of the Billion Tree Afforestation Programme (BTAP), which stands as the world’s largest afforestation project.
Throughout their journey, the Saudi delegates engaged with various aspects of afforestation in the province, seeking to draw valuable lessons from the KP Forest and Environment Department’s accomplishments in executing BTAP.
This visit underscores the collaborative efforts between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in tackling environmental challenges and fostering sustainability, marking a significant step toward achieving the “Saudi Green Initiative” and contributing to global environmental conservation.
