Karachi Port Trust (KPT) adds another leaf to the clean and green initiative of honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Imran Khan, by starting the ‘mangroves plantation campaign 2020-21’ during an impressive ceremony that held 01st December 2020 at Beach Luxury Hotel, Karachi. This ceremony, which was well attended by all the General Managers, senior and middle management officials of KPT besides media and other guests.
This launch event started off with General Manager Operations Rear Admiral Zaka-ur-Rehman welcoming the guests and in his welcome speech, GM Operations of KPT said; “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 HiIal-e-Imtiaz(M) & Tamgha-e-Bisaalat about safeguarding 1000 hectares mangroves forests falling in the domain of the port through such campaigns in past as a regular feature. Moreover, he shared information about providing lands to World Wildlife Fund (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. He further added and said; “participation of school children has been avoided this time due to Covid-19 pandemic”.
Highlighting on mangroves plantation importance, the Chairman of KPT Rear Admiral (R) Jamil Akhtar has termed it extremely necessary for the ports and port cities, as this will help in avoiding national calamities like Tsunamis, Heat Waves etc and he said; “I would like to announce a full year Mangrove Plantation Campaign 2020-21 under which KPT will plant 100,000 mangroves every quarter”.
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.
Later, the chief guest Chairman KPT Rear Admiral (R) Jamil Akhtar performed the mangrove plantation along with selected guests and media to conclude the proceedings of the day.
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