By Hafeez Darvesh
ISLAMABAD: In a massive effort to combat climate change, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination has launched the Up scaling Green Pakistan Programme Phase-1 (Revised). The project aims to plant a staggering 3.29625 billion trees across the country, focusing on afforestation, reforestation, forest regeneration, and strengthening protected areas.
The initiative, which began in August 2019, has already shown remarkable progress, with 65% physical completion. The project is being implemented in collaboration with provincial and AJK GB governments, with a total funding of Rs. 25.183 billion on a 50% cost-sharing basis.
At the helm of this ambitious project is Faiz Ali Khan, National Project Director (NPD), who has been instrumental in driving the program’s success. Under his leadership, the project has achieved several milestones, including the recent recognition at the CoP 29 summit in Baku, where it received enormous appreciation for his efforts.
In a significant endorsement of the program’s effectiveness, the Saudi government has initiated a duplicate copy of the project, a testament to its potential for replication and impact.
“We are committed to making Pakistan a greener and more sustainable country,” said Faiz Ali Khan, NPD. “This project is a testament to our government’s dedication to environmental conservation and climate action. We are proud of our achievements so far and look forward to completing the project by 2028.”
The programme’s objectives are multifaceted, including enhancing natural capital through forest restoration, conserving biodiversity, promoting carbon financing mechanisms, and strengthening institutional frameworks. The project also aims to meet Pakistan’s national and international obligations under various environmental agreements and treaties.
The Ministry has submitted a revised PC-I to the Planning Commission for the next four years (2024-2028), with a total cost of Rs. 70.091 billion. The project is expected to be completed by June 30, 2028.
This ambitious initiative has garnered international attention, with the programme being rated among the most successful forest restoration and wildlife conservation projects globally.
