Tree Plantation Campaigns

NFEH

Introduction

The environmental crisis has overwhelmed urban areas all over Pakistan, especially in the city of Karachi, with such severe air pollution, skyrocketing temperatures, and a rapid decrease of green cover due to the cutting now and then trees with no consideration of the environment. So as to solve the most pressing environmental problems, the National Forum for Environment & Health (NFEH) initiated the Tree Plantation Campaign, its flagship project, in 2014 by the name “Sarsabz o Pursukoon Karachi.” This project got the tremendous support of the Commissioner Karachi Office and the cooperation of government departments, NGOs, communities, and corporate partners, and today it is a shining light for healthy, green, and climate-resilient cities.

Purpose of the Campaign

Mitigating Climate Change

Through extensive tree planting to reduce both carbon emissions and urban heat.

Enhancing Urban Livability

Transforming cities into places where people can live healthily and comfortably, and that are aesthetically pleasing.

Strengthening Communities

Getting together with citizens, industries, and civic bodies for joint activities.

Achievements So Far

Since the campaign made its debut, the initiative has achieved more than half of the goals set and seven Sustainable Development Goals.

More than 385,000 Trees have been planted in Karachi as well as the neighboring areas.

Survival rate of saplings of 70–75%, thus making a lasting impact on the plantation rather than a symbolic one.
Plantation on Tree Life Bi-Annual to plant more trees and ensure better growth and survival of the plantation.
Thousands of volunteers, students, and professionals engaged in engagement plantation drives.

This achievement underlines the capability of collaborations and the necessity of perseverance to combat urban deforestation.

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Trees Planted

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Volunteers engaged

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Reports & Publications

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CSR Awards Hosted

Our Clients

Activities and Approach

The Tree Plantation Campaigns have expanded their reach from mere tree plantations to executing an all-encompassing plan:

Site Selection & Planning – Looking for areas such as schools, hospitals, parks, and roadside belts that are suitable for plantation.
Community Mobilization – Getting the local people to participate in the plantation process, thus the process of community mobilization.
Corporate CSR Participation – Suggesting that corporations fund the tree-planting initiatives under their CSR program.
Monitoring & Care – Continuation of check-ups, arranging watering, and providing care to ensure the survival of trees.
Educational Drives – Conducting awareness sessions to enlighten communities about the benefits of green spaces.

Partnerships and Collaborations

Multi-stakeholder partnerships have been the root of the campaign’s success, which include:

Government of Sindh & Commissioner Karachi Office – Help in both the physical and policy aspects of the campaign.
Corporate Sector & Industries – Making money available for plantations and recruiting employees to participate.
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) – Going deep in communities and supporting awareness initiatives through which the campaign extends its reach into communities.
Schools & Universities – Turning on the students to environmental issues so they can become the future leaders of green thinking.

Impact on Communities

The campaign has changed the community both in terms of the environment and the community mindsets. Some of the impacts are:

Improved community health through better air quality, as more trees absorb pollutants and produce oxygen.
Creation of green jobs in areas such as nursery management, urban forestry, and environmental education.

Increased property values in areas where mature trees have been planted make communities more economically stable.

Improved Air Quality – Trees not only absorb pollutants but also help to lower the amount of dust in highly congested areas of a city.
Reduced Urban Heat Islands – The presence of green vegetation results in lower temperatures in cities, which in turn gives a respite from the heat that could be very intense during summer.
Enhanced Biodiversity – The places where plantation activities are carried out have become the habitat of birds, pollinators, and small animals.

Looking Ahead

NFEH sees the Tree Plantation Campaigns going beyond the current status to cover:

An extension of the program to cities other than Karachi.
More emphasis on the use of native and climate-resilient tree species.
Collaborations with the providers of technology for intelligent plantation survival rate monitoring.
The establishment of “green corridors” in the cities to connect parks, roadsides, and residential areas.

Our aim is straightforward, yet it carries a lot of weight: to make sure that the cities in Pakistan become more eco-friendly, less polluted, and healthier for the people who will be living here after us.