Australian High Commissioner and Minister Zartaj Gul planted trees at Fatima Jinnah Park
Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Dr Geoffrey Shaw, on Wednesday joined the Minister of State for Climate Change, Zartaj Gul to inaugurate a Miyawaki Forest at Islamabad’s Fatima Jinnah Park.
“This Miyawaki Forest is a gift from the Australian Government to the people of Pakistan. I hope that the trees and shrubs planted here today help regenerate not just the environment of Islamabad but contribute to making Pakistan cleaner and greener” Dr Shaw said.
The Australian High Commission gifted the forest to the public park as part of an initiative, organized by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to support Pakistan’s Miyawaki Forest and the Spring Tree Plantation Campaign 2021.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan launched the urban forestry project based on the Japanese Miyawaki method in Lahore and Islamabad in February.
“Miyawaki is one of the techniques to develop forests quickly and Prime Minister Imran Khan has taken keen interest in its implementation. We all are aware of the threat of global warming and how it’s already affecting our lives. Right and timely initiatives like this are much needed. We are thankful to Australian High Commission for their collaboration in this amazing initiative” Naveed Tareenm CDA environment wing director general, said.
Australian ambassador said that “Green initiatives such as the Miyawaki forest method are becoming ever more important in the face of the growing impacts of climate change affecting our region – something both Australia and Pakistan are keenly aware of and taking action on.”
Australia has a longstanding cooperation with Pakistan on the environment and tackling climate change including improving water management and security, access to clean drinking water, flood forecasting and disaster risk reduction, the embassy statement said.
Australia is committed to combating climate change and is on track to beat our 2030 emissions reduction target under the Paris Agreement, having achieved 17 percent reduction in emissions since 2005. The Australian Government has committed $1.5 billion for global climate finance and over $15 billion domestically to make Australia’s environment more resilient to climate disasters.