Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Malik, participated in a plantation drive organised by Coca-Cola in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA), and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) at Hill View Park, F-6/3, Islamabad today.
The plantation activity was conducted as part of the Ministry’s broader afforestation campaign aimed at enhancing green spaces and improving the urban environment in the capital city.
A painting competition was organised during the event in which students from various schools participated enthusiastically. The paintings were prepared under the theme “Clean and Green Islamabad,” after which the students also took part in the plantation activity in the park.
Dr. Musadik Malik planted a sapling during the drive and interacted with the participating students. Appreciating the creativity and ideas expressed by the children, the Federal Minister said that children possess creativity, and ideas that society often overlooks, and stressed that such creativity must be nurtured and protected.
The Minister stated that the Ministry had committed to planting three trees for every allergenic paper mulberry tree cut in Islamabad. The ongoing plantation campaign forms part of fulfilling that commitment. He appreciated Coca-Cola’s participation in the initiative and remarked that such partnerships should encourage other corporations to also come forward and fulfil their social and environmental responsibilities. Two such plantation drives have already taken place in collaboration with Zong and HUM.
Dr. Musadik Malik stated that Coca-Cola has procured and handed over 5,000 trees, it is now a collective responsibility to ensure their protection and growth. He remarked that these children will hold the society accountable and that the media will hold the Minister and Ministry accountable for these trees.
Commenting on the devastating impacts of climate change, the Federal Minister highlighted the destruction caused by recent floods and other natural disasters in Pakistan. He noted that more than 6,000 people lost their lives in recent floods, while millions were displaced and countless children lost valuable school time. Many children affected by climate disasters were never able to return to school.
He emphasized that society owes it to those children to take meaningful climate action so that such disasters can either be prevented or the country can become better prepared to deal with them. The Minister said that trees and forests function as a natural Industry that absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and produces oxygen. Rising carbon dioxide levels contribute to increasing temperatures, glacial melt, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), and devastating floods. Plantation and forest conservation are essential tools in combating climate change.
Speaking on the occasion, Senior Director Coca-Cola, Dr. Faisal Hashmi, stated that Coca-Cola remains committed to strengthening partnerships that support sustainable public spaces. He appreciated the support and collaboration of the Ministry and reaffirmed that the company would maintain active oversight and monitoring of the planted saplings for at least the next 12 months.
Secretary Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Director General Pak-EPA, Inspector General Forests, and other senior officials also participated in the plantation drive.
