A New Approach to Environmental Sustainability in Pakistan
As the monsoon season of 2025 brings new environmental challenges and opportunities, it’s time for Pakistan to shift from symbolic actions to concrete strategies that ensure long-term ecological benefits. In Mirpurkhas Division, a significant initiative has been launched with the goal of planting 100,000 trees across Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, and Tharparkar. While this effort is commendable, historical data reveals that over 90% of such plantation drives fail due to poor planning, lack of maintenance, unsuitable soil conditions, water scarcity, and a general neglect after the initial planting.
This issue is not complex; with a serious, long-term strategy, achieving a 100% survival rate for these trees is entirely feasible. A structured system must be put in place that ensures environmental impact through ownership, accountability, and the involvement of responsible institutions like the Forest Department, Sindh Environmental Protection Agency, Agriculture Department, On-Farm, and Irrigation Departments.
Strategic Planting: Matching Species to Ecosystems
Planting efforts are often rushed, with pits dug without proper soil testing and saplings chosen without considering future water availability. Other countries have adopted more practical models focused on survival and adaptation. Pakistan should follow suit, not only in Mirpurkhas but also across Umerkot and Tharparkar, covering urban, rural, and desert areas.
A division-based planting strategy is essential. Each district and taluka should identify ecological zones—urban, rural, semi-urban, and desert—and match tree species accordingly. For instance:
- Urban areas should prioritize Neem, Gulmohar, Kikar (Shesham), Alstonia, Peltophorum, Bottlebrush, and limited Conocarpus.
- Rural zones benefit from fruit-bearing trees like Mango, Ber, Jamun, Amrood, Imli, Papaya, and Lemon, which provide food, income, and shade.
- Semi-urban areas can blend fruit and shade trees such as Neem, Moringa, Alstonia, Pomegranate, and Guava.
- Desert zones require native, drought-tolerant species like Babul, Kandi, Peelu, Laai, Ak (Calotropis), Moringa, and cactus varieties.
Post-Plantation Care and Monitoring
One major gap is the lack of post-plantation care. Trees need consistent monitoring, watering, and protection. The District Forest Departments should lead these efforts, with support from SEPA, Agriculture, Union Councils, and municipal bodies. Schoolteachers and community elders can also play a vital role as local custodians.
Another critical factor is the use of small saplings, which often dry out and die quickly. Instead, mature plants—minimum 3 to 4 feet tall—should be used. These have stronger root systems and a higher chance of survival.
Untrained hands often handle planting, leading to failure. Soil suitability and natural manure are crucial. Soil must be tested and enriched with compost like cow dung, used tea leaves, wood ash, and other bio-fertilizers. Academic institutions and the Agriculture Department can support these efforts. A successful model was piloted at the Sindh Agriculture University Campus in Umerkot, led by the Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO) and supported by the Deputy Commissioner. This approach can be scaled across the region.
Digital Tracking and Accountability
To ensure accountability, every tree must be digitally tracked. GPS coordinates should be assigned to each tree, and this data stored on a central dashboard maintained by Deputy Commissioners in each district. Every tree must have a tagged custodian, and replanting must occur under the same GPS reference if a tree dies. This is the only reliable way to monitor progress and ensure transparency.
Countries like Rwanda and Ethiopia have achieved high success rates through community-based governance and accountability. Pakistan must learn from these examples. Urban forestry, agroforestry, and rainwater harvesting for desert plantations should all be part of this effort.
Institutional Responsibility and Community Involvement
Institutional apathy remains a major reason for failure. After photo-ops during planting drives, the trees are often forgotten. This mindset must change. The Forest Department must take legal and moral responsibility for every tree, with quarterly progress reports made public.
Plantation efforts must be integrated into school greening, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects, and local development plans. Most critically, trees should be included in the District Disaster Management Authority’s (DDMA) contingency strategies, recognizing tree cover as a vital element of disaster risk reduction and climate resilience.
With a clear plan, honest intent, and sustained follow-up, one lakh trees can become one lakh commitments to our shared future.
