God created this planet with utmost balance and made it a source of survival for mankind and other creatures living in it. Almighty decorated it with deep oceans, high mountains, snow caped peaks, vas deserts and lush green fields and covered it with Ozone layer to protect it from the dangerous rays coming from sun to make it livable for its dwellers. But the haphazard interventions of man in the nature for the sake of development disturbed the ecological balance by the emission of green house gases in enormous quantity and destroying the Ozone layer.

A report of the International Panel on Climate Changes says that in the past two decades the quantity of carbon has doubled resulting in 3.2 to 9.7 degree increase in the global temperature. The report warns that due to global warming, some glaciers are melting with a speed of 30 meter per year and till 2035, major glaciers are apprehended to disappear from this planet. Experts forecast that melting glaciers will ultimately raise sea level and major cities of
the world may come under water.

General Secretary of United Nations has cautioned that, if this situation remain unchanged, 1.8 billion people will be forced to live in such areas where their will be acute shortage of water and
till 2025, 2/3 of the world population will face water scarcity problems. A report of WHO discloses that 5 million people are falling prey to climatic diseases each year while 150,000 die due to it. Similarly 60,000 persons suffer from skin diseases due to ultra violet rays every year.


Ironically, the most advanced and self- claimed civilized nations of the world are more responsiblefor environmental violations. The USA is emitting 40 percent of green house gases alone, while G-8 countries are producing 70 percent of it. Perhaps it is time to take collaborative steps to check the alarming speed of environmental degradation. The developed countries must sense their duty and ensure measures to control emission of green house gases. But, the developing countries should not over look their endangered future and must plan for rectification of the environment in their jurisdictions. Such countries are adversely affected by climat changes as they are already deprived of the mechanism needed for the maintenance of the environment. Negligence of these nations towards environment can lead them to catastrophe because they don’t have enough resources to avoid the threat.

A tangible step to slow the speed of environmental degradation and minimize the negative affects of climatic changes is massive plantation. Plants play a vital role in protection of environment and have multiple advantages beside beautification. They purify air, prevent wind storms and protect soil erosion. Beside these functions, trees emit oxygen and maintain climate at a balancing
point. A big size tree can provide oxygen sufficient for 36 infants, while 10 big size trees produce cooling equal to the cooling generated by a one ton Air Conditioner. Trees also minimize air pollution, reduce noise and decrease the unpleasant smell by absorbing rotten
substances from the drains.

Planting a tree is a virtue as the Holly Prophet (PBUH) has termed tree plantation as “Sadqa" and has ordered his followers not to cut fruit bearing trees in the occupied territory in war times.
The saying of the Holly prophet indicates the degree of importance Islam gives to plantation.

Spring and monsoon are two suitable seasons for the plantation of saplings. Monsoon is favorable season for plantation in all parts of the province except Chitral. There is enough humidity in the atmosphere in this season which enables sapling to establish it roots in the new environment. But one must note that this season is only favorable for saplings raised in tubs and not for bare root plants. Therefore special care should be given to    the earth ball of the sapling and it must not be disturbed during plantation to ensure its survival.Only planned and organized plantation can bring best results. Therefore, before initiating plantation, the nature of plants should be determined. That is, what sorts of saplings are needed on which terrain. Whether plants are needed for commercial needs or beautification. Besides this environmental purposes are also focused
upon.         

A few points should be kept in mind while chalking out plan for plantation. Plants must be carefully selected according to the climate conditions of the area where the sapling to be planted. Similarly while determining plantation of fruit or commercial plants, priority should be given to plants which are grown abundantly in that area. Such plantation will stable local market and pave way for its
export to national and international market as well.

Trees are also a sound source of income generation .Quick growing trees, largely used in industries can prove useful for this purpose. Experts advise plantation of trees like poplar, sesame and simal .Its market is wide as the wood of these trees is used in sports goods manufacturing, match industry, shoes making, plywood, chip board and furniture. Mulberry can be a source of income in rural areas as it is useful for silk production.

After selection of plants according to needs and climatic conditions is done, the crucial phase of shifting it to the plantation site is started .Plants should always be procured from the nearest
satiation to shift it easily at low cost without any sort of harm to it. Experts consider nurseries developed by cultivators themselves as most suitable for this purpose. In case self raised nurseries are not available, stock developed by Forest Department can prove a better source for acquisition of saplings.

A number of tips may not be ignored while choosing saplings for plantations. The length of the selected sapling should be at least one foot and the stump must be double in length than its roots.
Similarly, Collar (The point where stump and root join with each other) should be strong and roots must be thick enough Plantation of too small, doubled stump or saplings with yellow leaves should be avoided.

Before saplings are shifted to the plantation site,necessary arrangements must be ensured to plant it quickly. At the first step a two feet deep pit with the same width should be dug out
for placing the sapling in it. Experts advise larger size of pit in hilly areas. Distance among the ditches and rows should be according to the nature of the plants to allow it to flourish well. After
preparation of pits, soft soil and composite fertilizer should be deposited along the sides of the pits to fill it promptly after the sapling is placed in it.

Any sort of negligence can harm the sapling and endanger its survival. The sapling must be irrigated one night before uprooting it and the earth ball should not be disturbed during the process of up rooting and shipment. The sapling should be uprooted in such quantity which can be planted easily on that day.  If the sapling has been grown in a plastic bag, the bag should be removed carefully before planting it. Cloudy weather is considered most suitable for plantation. The sapling should be kept straight in the ditch and the ditch must be filled with soft soil and fertilizer up to collar of the sapling. The soft soil should be pressed watered promptly after it is filled.

The phase of protection of the plant is started just after the stage of plantation is over. There are a number of enemies of the sapling which include animals, insects, children, flood water and
storms. Proper care and attention is essential to enable the plant to develop in the new atmosphere  to  contribute in beautification and
recertification of the environment.

Mass plantation is imperative to over come environmental problems. In order to cope up with environmental issues, banks of canals, sides of water reservoirs and other suitable places must be
used for plantation. Yards of the houses, open places, hilly slopes and barren land should be covered with trees in plantation season to enhance the forest covered area.

Unfortunately forests cover 79.699 million hector areas in the country, constituting hardly 5 % of the total areas. Experts advise that at least 25 % of the total area of a country must be covered with forests. In Pakistan per capita forest areas is 0.037 acres while in the developed countries this ratio is one hector per capita. Forests cover 17% of the area of NWFP, including 2.5 % area covered by trees grown in cultivable fields. The existing forest covered area is not sufficient to meet national needs and to cope with environment hazards. There is a dire need for increasing this area by massive plantation.

The current year has been declared as  National year of Environment and that is why the  NWFP Forest Department has chalked out a comprehensive plan for mass plantation .Under this plan 5.682 million saplings of different species  will be planted  with the help of defense forces ,Government    departments ,educational institutions, civil society and farmers during  this  season in various parts of the province. Arrangements for sensitization of the community and provision of technical assistance to cultivators are also made. Similarly Ashar plantation (Collective plantation) will be arranged in collaboration of the district administration and farmers at local level. Similarly saplings raised in tubs in various field nurseries in the province are available at Rs.2 each for general public and at the rate of Rs1.50 each for provincial departments.