By Azeem Ahmed Khan

Pakistan’s Upscaling of Green Pakistan Programme has planted 2,298.38 million saplings under its forestry component between 2019-20 and June 2026, reaching 71.5% of the 2019-28 PC-I target.

The overall physical target under PC-1 for 2019-28 was set at 3,214 million plants, according to Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination documents available with Wealth Pakistan.

The programme covers plantation and natural regeneration activities across Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. The data show that all listed provinces and territories have made progress under the forestry component.

Sindh recorded the highest physical progress in absolute terms, achieving 866.99 million plants against its PC-1 target of 1,034 million plants for 2019-28. Its progress stood at 84%, making it the strongest performer among the listed regions on a percentage basis.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa achieved 737.48 million plants against a PC-1 target of 1,000 million plants for 2019-28, showing 74% progress. The province also remained one of the largest contributors to the overall physical progress of the programme.

Punjab achieved 370.57 million plants against its PC-1 target of 495 million plants, reflecting 75% progress.

Balochistan achieved 32.51 million plants against a target of 60 million plants, showing 54% progress. Gilgit-Baltistan achieved 100.29 million plants against a target of 170 million plants, recording 59% progress.

Azad Jammu and Kashmir achieved 190.53 million plants against a PC-1 target of 455 million plants, showing 42% progress. While its absolute achievement crossed 190 million plants, its percentage progress remained lower than other listed regions.

The figures indicate that the forestry component has crossed an important implementation mark, with 2.29 billion plants achieved against the 2019-28 PC-1 targets. The remaining work will be measured against the total target of 3,214 million plants.

Credit: INP-WealthPk